Who was the English explorer that claimed the west coast of North America for Queen Elizabeth?

The English explorer who claimed the west coast of North America for Queen Elizabeth was indeed Sir Francis Drake. He is renowned for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role as a privateer. In the late 1570s, Drake sailed up the west coast of North America, exploring areas that are today part of California and claiming them for England. His actions were part of the broader English efforts to establish a presence in the New World, which were supported by Queen Elizabeth as a strategy to challenge Spanish dominance in the Americas.

Henry Hudson, on the other hand, was an English navigator credited with exploring parts of North America but primarily under Dutch commission, and his expeditions took place in the early 17th century. Walter Raleigh was known for his attempts to establish a colony in Virginia and was involved in exploring the Americas but did not claim the west coast for Elizabeth. John Cabot was also an English explorer who made voyages to North America in the late 15th century but focused more on the northeast coast, rather than the west coast, which was claimed by Drake.