Conflict with Spain Flashcards
What are the main factors that caused a rise in tension between England and the Spanish?
- Piracy
- Issues of marriage
- Dutch revolt/Netherlands
What act of piracy fuelled the Spanish King’s rage?
– During the Dutch rebellion, many Spanish ships attempting to hide from the Dutch Sea beggars took refuge in England. These ships were carrying gold which was stolen eventually by the Queen.
– The Queen licensed sir Francis Drake to steal from Spanish ships and steal their gold
– when circumnavigating the world Sir Francis Drake stole £400,000 worth of gold and treasures.
How did Elizabeth helping the Dutch in the rebellion against the Spanish fuel the Spanish King’s rage?
– Elizabeth loaned out £100,000 to the Dutch rebels to help them in fighting against the Spanish.
– Once the Dutch rebels leader, orange, died Elizabeth helped the Dutch rebels by supplying them with men that help to fight against the Spanish. – (Once the treaty of NONSUCH was signed, Elizabeth sent 7400 troops to help the Dutch against the Spanish.
What did Elizabeth’s interference with the Dutch rebellion cause?
The Spanish armada
What was the plan for the Spanish armada?
– 150 ships to attack
– 30,000 men would go and attack England
– set sale in unbreakable crescent formation
– land in Kent and attack from there with the support of Spanish troops in the Netherlands
What happened during the Spanish armada?
– In 1588 150 ships carrying mostly ground weapons which set sail towards England.
– By sixth of August the armada was anchored off the Dutch coast.
– Whilst they were anchored, Fire ships from the English were sent to break the crescent formation. – On the 8th of August the Battle of Granvilles began the English in the fast and small boats fired cannons from 100 meter distance, the Spanish ships were badly damaged and sunk.
– Whilst some ships survived, they were blown by the wind around England where they were attacked by the coast from English soldiers. During this time the food went rotten, the water polluted and men became sick.
Why did the Spanish armada fail?
– Before the Spanish armada could even reach England Sir Francis Drake attacked ships whilst they were docked, resulting in 30 sunken ships. This event was known as the singeing of the Kings bed.
– Many commanders of the Spanish fleet was inexperienced and weren’t tactically gifted compared to the likes of Sir Francis Drake.
– The Spanish were not prepared for extreme weathers.
What was the significance behind winning for the English?
– The Dutch use the victory as encouragement for engaging in another rebellion against the Spanish in the Netherlands
– the Dutch and English alliance grew stronger
– The Queen gained acceptance and control from and of her people
