Elizabethan England Topic Summaries

Trade with the East

GCSE > History > Edexcel > GCSE History: Elizabethan England (1558-1603) > Imperial ambitions > Trade with the East
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Key terms
  • Elizabeth encouraged trade with Asia, aiming to compete with Portuguese and Dutch dominance.
  • Explorers made initial contact with India, establishing England’s interest in spices, textiles, and luxury goods. 
  • The foundation of the East India Company (1600) was influenced by these early voyages, though its dominance occurred after Elizabeth’s reign. 
  • Early English trade voyages sought wealth as well as knowledge of navigation, ports, and trade routes, which were often more valuable than simple profit.

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