The Spanish Armada was a massive fleet of ships that was sent by King Philip II of Spain to invade England in 1588. Drake was one of the commanders of the English fleet that defeated the Armada.
2. The Portuguese Navy
The Portuguese Navy was another major threat to Drake's expeditions. Portugal was a powerful maritime power at the time, and its navy was well-equipped and well-trained. Drake had several encounters with the Portuguese Navy, and he was often outnumbered and outgunned.
3. The Native Americans
Drake also had to contend with the Native Americans who lived in the areas he explored. The Native Americans were often hostile to the English, and they sometimes attacked Drake's ships.
4. The Weather
Drake also had to deal with the weather. The seas around South America can be very rough, and Drake's ships were often caught in storms.
5. Disease
Disease was a constant threat to Drake and his crew. Many of the diseases that were common in the tropics were fatal, and Drake lost many men to disease.
6. The Mutiny
In 1578, Drake's crew mutinied against him. The mutiny was led by Thomas Doughty, who was Drake's second-in-command. Doughty was eventually executed, and the mutiny was put down.
Despite all of these obstacles, Drake was able to complete his circumnavigation of the world. He was a skilled navigator and a daring explorer, and he is considered to be one of the greatest seafarers in history.