Amundsen's South Pole expedition

Quick Facts: Who was Amundsen's South Pole expedition?

Subject:

Amundsen's South Pole expedition

Known for:

Norwegian explorer who reached the South Pole first in 1911, mastering polar travel.

Born:

1872

Century / Era:

1872s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The first expedition to reach the Geographic South Pole was led by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. He and four other crew members made it to the geographical South Pole on 14 December 1911, which was to be five weeks ahead of the British party led by Robert Falcon Scott as part of the Terra Nova Expedition. Amundsen and his team returned safely to their base, and about a year later heard that Scott and his four companions had perished on their return journey. Amundsen's initial plans had focused on the Arctic and the conquest of the North Pole by means of an extended drift in an icebound ship. He obtained the use of Fridtjof Nansen's polar exploration ship Fram, and undertook extensive fundraising in a country that had gained its independence only some six years earlier.

Career & Major Achievements

Preparations for this expedition were disrupted when, in 1909, the rival American explorers Frederick Cook and Robert Peary each claimed to have reached the North Pole - both claims are highly disputed. Amundsen then changed his plan and began to prepare for a conquest of the South Pole; uncertain of the extent to which the public and his backers would support him, he kept this revised objective secret. When he set out in June 1910, he led even his crew to believe they were embarking on an Arctic drift, and revealed their true Antarctic destination only when Fram was leaving their last port of call, Madeira, on 9 September 1910. Amundsen made his Antarctic base, which he named "Framheim" (Home of Fram, after their ship Fram), in the Bay of Whales on the Great Ice Barrier. After months of preparation, depot-laying and a false start that ended in near-disaster, he and his party set out for the pole in October 1911.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the course of their journey they discovered the Axel Heiberg Glacier, which provided their route to the polar plateau and ultimately to the South Pole. The party's mastery of the use of skis and their expertise with sled dogs ensured rapid and relatively trouble-free travel. Other achievements of the expedition included the first exploration of King Edward VII Land and an extensive oceanographic cruise. The expedition's success was widely applauded, and was later compared to the Apollo flight to the Moon, in its manner of spending resources and keeping focus on the primary goal of reaching the geographical South Pole. Though the story of Scott's so-called heroic failure, meaning the death of his full crew, overshadowed Amundsen's achievement in the United Kingdom, Amundsen's decision to keep his true plans secret until the last moment was criticised by some.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1872: Birth of Amundsen's South Pole expedition — Norwegian explorer who reached the South Pole first in 1911, mastering polar travel.
2. 1909: 1909 Milestone — Preparations for this expedition were disrupted when, in 1909, the rival American explorers Frederick Cook and Robert Peary each claimed to have reached the North Pole - both claims are highly disputed.
3. 1910: 1910 Milestone — When he set out in June 1910, he led even his crew to believe they were embarking on an Arctic drift, and revealed their true Antarctic destination only when Fram was leaving their last port of call, Madeira, on 9 September 1910.
4. 1911: 1911 Milestone — He and four other crew members made it to the geographical South Pole on 14 December 1911, which was to be five weeks ahead of the British party led by Robert Falcon Scott as part of the Terra Nova Expedition.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Amundsen's South Pole expedition

True or False: “Did Amundsen initially plan to conquer the North Pole using a drifting ship strategy?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, his initial plans focused on the Arctic and the conquest of the North Pole via an extended drift in an icebound ship.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksis Kivi — Contemporary (Died in 1872) (1872): The national writer of Finland, credited with the first significant novel in the Finnish language.
• Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse) — Contemporary (Born in 1872) (1872): Last Empress of Russia, consort to Nicholas II, deeply influential figure in late Imperial history.
• Alexandra Kollontai — Contemporary (Born in 1872) (1872): Pioneering Marxist feminist, diplomat, and Bolshevik leader in early Soviet history.
• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Born in 1911) (1911): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Ahmed Urabi — Historical peer (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.
• Aboul-Qacem Echebbi — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Influential Tunisian poet, celebrated for his passionate verses and nationalistic spirit.
• Albert R. Broccoli — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Born in 1910) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Born in 1910) (1910): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• 1872 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1872

Frequently Asked Questions about Amundsen's South Pole expedition