Elizabeth Foreign Policy Flashcards
ChatGPT Notes, more general overview
What were Elizabeth’s key foreign polocy aims?
- Security & National Defence
- Preserving the Protestant Settlement
- Avoiding War & Maintaining Diplomacy
- Economic & Trade Interests
Reasons for wanting Security & National Defence:
- England was vulnerable due to its relatively weak military compared to Spain and France.
- The threat of invasion from Spain, France, and later Scotland influenced policy decisions.
- Defensive measures, such as strengthening the navy, were crucial to deterring foreign threats.
Reasons for wanting to preserve the Protestant Settlement:
- Elizabeth sought to protect Protestantism in England and support Protestant causes abroad, particularly in Scotland, the Netherlands, and France.
- She avoided direct confrontation to prevent a Catholic crusade against England.
Reasons for wanting to avoid War & Maintaining Diplomacy:
- Elizabeth aimed to avoid costly wars that could strain England’s limited financial resources.
- She used diplomacy, marriage negotiations, and proxy wars to achieve her aims without direct involvement.
Reasons for Economic & Trade Interests:
- Expanding trade, particularly with the New World, was a growing concern.
- England’s naval power helped to disrupt Spanish dominance in global trade.
What situation did Elizabeth inherit?
- England was at war with France due to Mary I’s policies.
- Scotland was ruled by the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, with French backing.
- Spain, under Philip II, remained a powerful force but initially friendly.
What were the key deveoplements during Elizabeth’s early years (1558-72)?
Defensive Caution & Diplomacy
- Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis (1559): Ended England’s war with France; England lost Calais permanently.
- Intervention in Scotland (1559–1560): England supported the Protestant Lords of the Congregation against the Catholic regent Mary of Guise.
- Treaty of Edinburgh (1560): French troops left Scotland, securing Elizabeth’s northern border.
Marriage diplomacy:
- Elizabeth entertained multiple suitors, including Philip II of Spain and the French Duke of Anjou, to maintain diplomatic leverage.
- 1562: Support for the Huguenots in France (English intervention failed, Treaty of Troyes 1564 confirmed the loss of Calais).
What were the key deveoplements during Elizabeth’s middle years (1572-85)?
The 1570s and 1580s saw increased tensions with Catholic Europe.
-Excommunication of Elizabeth (1570): Pope Pius V declared Elizabeth illegitimate, encouraging Catholic plots against her.
- Treaty of Blois (1572): England allied with France against Spain.
- Netherlands Revolt (1572 onwards):
- Spain’s harsh repression of Dutch Protestants concerned Elizabeth.
- She provided covert support to Dutch rebels but avoided open war with Spain.
- Francis Drake’s attacks on Spanish treasure fleets (1577–1580): Infuriated Philip II.
- Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1587): Removed a Catholic figurehead, worsening relations with Spain.
What were the key deveoplements during Elizabeth’s later years (1585-1604)?
By the mid-1580s, conflict with Spain became unavoidable.
Key causes:
- Spain’s increasing hostility and the Treaty of Joinville (1584) between Spain and France.
- England’s official support for the Dutch rebels through the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585).
- Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1587).
- Drake’s raids on Spanish settlements and treasure fleets.
SEE OTHER FLASHCARDS FOR FULL DETAILS ON SPANISH WAR
Did Elizabeth end the war with spain
No, it eneded with the Treaty of London (1604) signed under James I
What were Elibeth’s foreign policy successes?
✅ Defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588):
- England’s naval tactics and weather ensured victory, securing national security.
✅ Preservation of Protestant England:
- Elizabeth successfully defended Protestantism and prevented Catholic rule.
✅ Expansion of English naval power & trade:
- Privateers like Drake and Hawkins helped undermine Spanish dominance.
✅ Avoidance of direct land wars in Europe:
- Elizabeth carefully balanced intervention without full-scale military commitment.
✅ Scotland secured:
- The Treaty of Edinburgh (1560) ended the French presence in Scotland.
What were Elibeth’s foreign policy failures?
❌ Failure to fully defeat Spain:
- War continued until after Elizabeth’s death; failed land campaigns in the Netherlands and France.
❌ Failure to prevent Catholic plots & rebellions:
- Mary, Queen of Scots remained a focal point for Catholic opposition.
❌ Irish Rebellion (Nine Years’ War, 1594–1603):
- Spain aided Irish rebels, leading to a costly conflict.
❌ Economic strain of war:
- The cost of foreign intervention and war significantly drained royal finances.
