2.4 - The Armada

Question 1

What was the final straw for Philip II launching the Spanish invasion?

Answer 1

The Killing of Mary Queen of Scots, ordered by Elizabeth was the Final Straw for Phillip II in the religious tensions between the two countries though the Armada was always going to happen.

Question 2

What are three main reasons for the Spanish launching the Armada?

Answer 2

• England would be a useful addition to Phillip Il’s empire
• Phillip I wanted to get rid of heresy
• The papacy had wanted Elizabeth I overthrown since excommunicating her in 1570

Question 3

What were the flaws in the Armada strategy?

Answer 3

Leaders - Duke of Medina Sidonia was inexperienced in Naval battles
Planning - Didn’t plan what they would do if their crescent formation (strength) was broken
No reinforcements - Fleet was unable to anchor and so never picked them up
Tactics - Spanish wanted to get close, English wanted to stay far
Ships - Spanish ships were slower and less equipped for bod weather than England
Weapons - English could reload their canon quickly - Spanish were slow
Weather - Spanish ships were buffeted by wind. The thinking was that God intervened and windy weather was a sign that God was on Elizabeth’s side

Question 4

What were the English advantages in the Spanish Armada?

Answer 4

• Long term planning
• Hawkin’s ship design
• Galleons were faster
• More space on deck for canons

Question 5

What are more reasons for defeat of the Armada? (JUST READ EXTRA INFO)

Answer 5

English galleons - quicker, able to carry guns more efficienty
Deep sea ports - Duke of Parma did not control any of the deep sea ports meaning it would take longer to meet the Duke of Medina - Sidonia to meet his Fleet
Unreliable commonications - Communiations only went by sea, it took a week for word to reach Parma and messages to engage the English. When word came out, If was too late

Question 6

What are the consequences of the defeat of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 6

• Gave England a great propaganda victory
• It seemed that God favoured Protestantism with the victory and Elizabeth emphasised this
• The cost of defeat for Spain was bad financially and in terms of power
• Queen gave commemorative medals which said ‘God blew, and they were scattered’
• Trading with other countries (gained more confidence)