2.2 - Relations With Spain

Question 1

What were Elizabeth’s policy aims?

Answer 1

• Avoiding war, which would cost a lot of money could potentially lead to Elizabeth being overthrown, if English rebels supported the enemy
• Protecting England’s borders
• Protecting the English throne
• Developing and improving trade to benefit the English economy

Question 2

Note :

Answer 2

Merchant - trade resources
New World - North and South America. Europeans were only aware of their existence from 1492
Privateer - Historically, individuals usually merchants or explorers) with their own armed ships that capture other ships for their cargoes, often with the authority or support of their government.

Question 3

Why did English merchants begin to explore new markets?

Answer 3

During Elizabeth I’s reign, English merchants began to explore new markets (such as Russia, China, India) as there were new profits to be made in the New World.However, English merchants faced problems in developing trade such as Spain controlling the Netherlands, England’s main route to the markets and spain controlled much of the new world where there were valuable, new trading oppurtunities.

If you wanted to trade with the New World, you needed a licence from Spain, which were hard to come by. Some English merchants traded illegally without licences. Some even attacked Spanish Ports and shipping. Phillip II could not ignore this change because of Spain’s interests in the New World

Question 4

What happened between 1570-71?

Answer 4

Expedition to West Indies captured numerous Spanish ships and cargoes

Question 5

What happened in 1572?

Answer 5

Elizabeth hires Drake as a privateer. She got a good return of money that she invested into the voyage. Captured £40,000 of Spanish silver. However Elizabeth’s decision to back him was risky as it could have provoked further conflict with Spain

Question 6

What happened in 1573?

Answer 6

Drake returns to England with Elizabeth and Philip II trying to improve Anglo-saxon relations. Philip angry as he saw it as English piracy, then can’t welcome him home publicly. Privately, she was impressed with his achievements

Question 7

What happened on November 1577?

Answer 7

Drake set out for the New World. He was to bring gold,silver,spices and any other valuables back to England

Question 8

What happened between 1577-80?

Answer 8

Drakes voyage (1577-80) became very famous because his actual route led him to circumnavigate (travel all the way around) the globe

Question 9

What happened in 1580?

Answer 9

Drake bought £400,000 of Spanish treasure with him. Great sum to the English crown, Elizabeth so impressed that she knighted Drake on the deck of the Golden Hind. Philip outraged by this public display : to him Sir Francis Drake was nothing more than a pirate

Question 10

What was Francis Drake’s impact on their relationship with Spain?

Answer 10

• His actions made it clear that England did not accept Spain’s dominance in the New World
• He boosted the Crown’s finances significantly
• Elizabeth’s knighting of him sent a clear message to Spain