Elizabeth's Foreign Policy Flashcards
Situation in Scotland in 1558
Mary Queen of Scots is currently in France, her mother Mary of Guise is ruling in her place however, the scottish Lords do no like this
Following the death of Henry II, the protestant scottish Lords begin to rebel against the Guise family- they looked to the south for support
Situation in France in 1558
Auld alliance is strengthened since MQS is married to Francis Valois, the Hapsburg-Valois conflict is still ongoing
Traditional enemy of England
Situations in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy in 1558
Germany- very protestant
Netherlands- under Spanish control
Italy- Pope lives there, central point in Hapsburg-Valois conflict
Situation in Spain in 1558
Phillip of Spain is ruling, ex-husband of Mary who is a very powerful catholic and is continually making conquests in the new world
Proposal to Elizabeth is rejected but no hard feelings
Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
1559
Spain + France
ends the long struggle between the countries in which Spain is given dominance in Italy
England is represented as an ally of Spain in this treaty
French wars of religion
began in 1562
constant flip flop between catholic and protestant rulers
Huguenots are French protestants
how were England involved in the French religious wars
In 1562, Elizabeth (encouraged by Leicester) decides to help the Huguenots in exchange for the port of Le Havre
If protestants succeeded in the civil war, Elizabeth hoped to negotiate for Calais
However, the catholics and Huguenots made peace and her plan fell through
Treaty of Troyes
1564
treaty signed with France to end Liz’s involvement, firmly stated that Calais was French
Liz’s actions only proved to annoy Phillip
Elizabeth and Anjou
Elizabeth promises her hand to the duke of Anjou (protestant) in 1579 as well as £60,000 this eventually came to nothing
Pros and Cons of Phillip of Spain as a suitor
Pros: King of Spain, lots of land and money in europe and the new world
Cons: defender of the (catholic) faith
Had previously ruled England via Mary and was unpopular
foreign
Pros and Cons of Robert Dudley as a suitor
Pros: Earl of Leicester, English, protestant, rich, childhood friend (loyal)
Cons: Widowed in suspicious circumstances (pushed wife down stairs)
Cecil was not a fan, beneath Liz socially
Pros and Cons of Erik of Sweden as a suitor
Pros: Protestant, popular with the people, had the right status, easiest political choice
Cons: Poor, not a strong alliance
Pros and Cons of Duke of Alencon as a suitor
Later duke of Anjou
Pros: very wealthy, brother of the French King, alliance with France, big age gap (20+ years)
Cons: turned catholic, not strong in france
Pros and Cons of William of Orange as a suitor
Pros: protestant, wealthy, son of the queen of Holland (status)
Cons: Dutch, fighting a war with Spain, take power from Liz
The Lords of Congregation
the protestant scottish lords
treaty of Edinbrugh
1560, the french leave Scotland
MQS arrival in scotland
1561
she is catholic but remains indifferent to the protestant lords
MQS was a threat
Mary was a legitimate catholic heir who wanted to be recognised as Liz’s successor
Figure head of Catholicism
Civil relationship later turns sour when Liz suggests marriage to Dudley- Mary is insulted
Even after Mary is under house arrest in England and has lost scottish support, she is involved in all 3 plots against the queen (Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babinton)
MQS and her 2nd husband
Lord Darnley, Scottish
Makes Mary more powerful
Gives birth to son James
Hates her husband and is rumoured to of help his murderer Lord Bothwell (whom she later married)
MQS abdication
1567
Forced by the Lord of Congregation
Flees to England where she is put under house arrest
MQS was not a threat
Originally has a good relationship with Elizabeth- both Queen Regents
Cecil is sooo against Mary she would never be heir
Liz is very elusive with Mary and refuses to meet her in person
Scottish Lords do not like Darnley and following his death and Mary’s marriage to Bothwell she looses Scottish support
Forced to abdicate
Execution of MQS
1587
Much deliberation from Liz who claimed she “didn’t know” it was the death warrant she signed as it was mixed with other papers- probs because she felt guilty for killing her cousin (like 4th removed though)
Ridolfi Plot
1571
Norfolk, Pope, Spain
Uncovered by Cecil
Aim to restore catholicism and overthrown Liz
Impact- made relations with Spain worse, Norfolk was executed and many catholic priests were raided and arrested
Throckmorton Plot
1583
MQS, French + Spanish ambassadors
Aims- invade England and free Mary, Pope and Phillip approved, Walsingham discovered
Impact- Throckmorton executed, life harder for Catholics, law in 1585
Babington Plot
1586
MQS, France, Phillip + Pope approval
Aims- France invade and put Mary on the throne, assassinate Liz, Walsingham discovered
Impact- Babington hanged, drawn and quartered, MQS is tried for treason and executed, Mass arrest of catholics, Anglo-Spanish relations are ruined
how dangerous were the plots against elizabeth?
significantly, all plots involved a foreign power who was catholic and willing to help
If these plots worked, MQS had divine right to take the English throne
Which nation was England at war with in the latter part of Elizabeth’s reign
Spain
Foreign policy between 1580-1603 was dominated by Spain which eventually led to the Anglo-Spanish war 1585-1604
Spanish Ambassadors in England
De Spes and Mendoza, both were expelled from England after being found involved in plots (Ridolfi and Throckmorton respectively)
Treaty of Joinville
1584
Spanish x French catholics
Religious differences between Spain and England
Phillip protests about Liz’s support of Huguenots, this causes her to withhold her troops from joining the rebels
Pope excommunicates Elizabeth in 1570 however Phillip was angry at this decision and refused to have Papal bulls published in her territory
De Spes encourages the Norther Earls to revolt in 1569
Treaty of Joinville
Trade/Exploration tensions between the English and Spain
Elizabeth seizes spanish money, 1568, from a bullion headed for Alba, this caused a ban on all trade with the Netherlands until 1573
Prior to this in 1563, Phillips government ban all imports of English cloth to the netherlands- Liz similarly bans all imports from there (resumed a year later)
1568- A spanish ship attack John Hawkins fleet as it was trespassing on spanish monopoly of the transatlantic slave trade- first sign of major issues
1580- Phillip inherits the Portuguese crown and thus overseas territories- big win for Spain
Diplomacy issues with Spain
Spain send hard-line ambassador to England (De Spes) in 1568- he is expelled following ridolfi
In 1570 Liz considers marriage to Duke of Anjou in order to prevent a french-spanish alliance against her
Instead of this, the treaty of Blois is signed
In 1579 the Netherlands scene changes as a new spanish commander (Duke of Parma) begins to recover land lost to rebels - increases the possibility of a spanish invasion
Treaty of Blois
1572
Instead of marriage, a defence alliance between England and France against Spain
ineffectual as Liz wasnt willing to commit
The issue of the Netherlands for Spain and England
1566-7, revolt in the Netherlands, suppressed by Alba show England’s coast to be very defenceless
1576- Spanish Fury, leads to Liz sending financial assistance but only under pressure from Leicester
1572- civil war in the Netherlands intensifies and Spain accuses Liz of encouraging the rebels as she offered them safe harbour in English ports while allowing English volunteers to help
1581- Liz funds resistance against Parma in the Netherlands, Philip is aware and considers a serious attack
1585- Treaty of Nonsuch
Treaty of Nonsuch
1585
England x Dutch Rebels
Sends Leicester with 7,000 troops
unofficial start of the Anglo-Spanish war
Was it Religion, Trade, Exploration, the Netherlands or diplomacy that had the biggest impact on Anglo-Spanish relations
the netherlands
essentially a proxy war
raised loads of tensions
Taking place in the new world (privateers) and Europe (Netherlands)
Duke Medina Sidonia
Led the Spanish Armada, was a bad choice to lead as he had no naval skills and was chosen for his wealth/position
Francis Drake
English Privateer
Circumnavigated the globe
Took lots of money from the Spanish
John Hawkins
English Privateer who became the first English slave trader- this of course angered the spanish
Similar role to Drake
In 1568 he was attacked by the Spanish in a Mexican harbour- barely escaped with Drake
3rd in command against the Armada- worked on designing faster ships
Lord Burghley
Wanted to help foreign protestants but his main aim was to avoid a war
very anti-MQS
Philip II
King of Spain
ordered the Armadas and supported plots
Earl of Essex
Fought against the Spanish in the Netherlands where he gained prominence
he was very anti-Spanish which resulted in a growing rift between him and the Cecil’s when a chance of peace was established in 1598
Don Antonio
A claimant to the Portuguese throne, in 1580 there was a succession crisis in Portugal with Antonio and Phillip being two options for King, Antonio was popular but defeated by Spain
England offered Antonio the pretence of support for a few years but nothing came of it- France was included in this as it was the same time as marriage negotiations with Anjou (annoyed Philip)
The Sea Beggars
1572
Dutch Pirates licenced by William of Orange, in this year Liz orders all sea beggars to leave English ports
The Pacification of the Ghent
1576
following the Spanish Fury, the catholic and protestant Dutch unite to create the PG which is a treaty signed with Spain- removal of all foreign troops and restoration of Dutch autonomy (liz supports)
Anjou and Netherlands
tries to support them but fails
Union of Utrecht
Northern protestant state in the Netherlands
Union of Arras
Southern Catholic state in the Netherlands
Annexation of Portugal
1580
Philip takes control of Portugal- Don Antonio is his adversary
Death of William of Orange
1584
assassinated
loss of dutch protestant leader
positives of the treaty of Nonsuch
Weakens Spain’s while strengthening England’s power
Any territory gained by the English would be shared with the Dutch
Dutch would pay for English troops and provided them a base in Flushing (port)
Strong alliance
England had well-trained troops from previous wars in Ireland and Scotland
boosted moral
Negatives of Nonsuch
Financial and military aid were
promised- from where?
Bad weather and supplies
internal conflicts over who should lead
English troops were badly paid and did not mesh with the Dutch troops
Dudley argued with everyone- this meant Philip could exploit divisions
Actions taken by Drake against the Spanish
New World voyages
Piracy
Secret orders
Circumnavigation
Singeing of beard
Attack of Portugal
New World Voyages
Drake attacks ships returning with cargo from the new world, he would seize their cargo
Gained England finances but angered Spain as they saw it as piracy
Piracy of Drake
1572
Went to Panama and captured 20 tonnes of sliver (£40,000 worth)
Philip was furious and Liz privately welcomed him back as to prevent upset from Philip
Secret Orders
1577
Liz secretly asks Drake to sail to the new world (bottom of South America) to get treasures like gold and spices
Drake was told he could attack Spain’s colonies, disrupt trade and take goods
This part of the new world was quite defenceless as Spain held monopoly
Drake returns with £400,000
He also claimed a part of California (New Albio)
Upon his return Liz knights him- her first public recognition of his work. This upsets Philip a lot
Circumnavigation
Drake got lost on his 1577 route which resulted in him circumnavigating the globe in his ship the Golden Hind
He was only the 2nd person to do this and the 1st English man to do it- boosted the English naval reputation
singeing of the King of Spain’s beard
1586
Attack on Cadiz harbour
burnt 30 ships
Preparations for the Armada began in early 1586- this delayed them a lot as it also damaged their resources
Drake’s attack of Portugal
1586
delayed Armada as Spanish had to defend against Drake, delayed them by a year
Religious causes for the Spanish Armada
-Philip wanted rid of heresy
-Liz was excommunicated and the Pope had called for her to be overthrown
-Pope promised to forgive the sins of those involved in the Armada
-Spain + Papacy had already backed plots against Liz
Political reasons for the Armada
-Treaty of Joinville
-Treaty of Nonsuch
-England would be a useful addition to the Spanish empire
-Both Drake’s actions in the new world and Elizabeth’s support for the Dutch rebels provoked Philip
Why did England look weak compared to Spain- at the time of the Armada
-When Spain annexed Portugal it became more powerful
-The duke of Parma had success in stopping Dutch rebels (since 1579)
-Elizabeth’s hesitation in the Netherlands suggested a weakness
Role of Tactics in the Spanish Armada
-English sailors were well trained (reload canons quickly) and could therefore fire more at the Spanish
-Philip used the combined forces of Parma and Medina-Sidonia who were in different ports
Timing
Ships and the Spanish Armada
Hawkins and built/designed new ships (galleons) that were more effective than the Spanish ships- galleons were smaller and lighter so easier to manoeuvre
Artillery and the Spanish Armada
English soldiers were better trained than the Spanish in loading canons, the galleons also had more recoil space. This meant the English could load their canons much quicker and could fire x6 more canon balls
Spanish supplies and the Spanish Armada
Following Drakes attack in 1586, lots of the Spanish supplies were stored in quickly but poorly built barrels, therefore lots of their food supplies had rotted.
The Armada had already been at sea for 10 weeks by the time the fought the English- low on supplies
Spanish planning and the Spanish Armada
Philip used the combined forces of Parma (Netherlands) and Medina-Sidonia (Portugal)
Parma could only use small ships (no deep sea ports) which took 48 hours to load
Medina-Sidonia sends a message to Parma saying they’re in the channel however, due to sea conditions, it took a week for Medina-Sidonia’s message to arrive. By then it was too late since the English were ready to attack and Parma still needed 48 hours to prepare the ships
Had a strong crescent shape formation
English planning and the Spanish Armada
Chased the Armada down the channel- Sidonia can’t stop to send his message to Parma
Earl of Nottingham (leader of English ships) realised that they could fire more than the Spanish to he saved as many canon balls as possible for the bigger battle
Fireships and the Spanish Armada
Ships that are on fire
England sent fireships into the Spanish fleet, this did not cause much damage but broke the strong, Spanish crescent formation- without Parma’s support it was hard to regroup and made it much easier for England to fire their saved cannon balls
Weather/chance and the Spanish Armada
At the battle of Gravelines the wind scattered Spanish ships, the were forced to head north and rougher seas round Scotland and Ireland caused lots of shipwrecks
Naval leaders and the Spanish Armada
Liz let her Leaders (earl of Nottingham, Drake and Lord Seymour) make key decisions
Philip = Armchair tactician, he ignored the advice of his navy. Let Medina-Sidonia lead (inexperienced) and his plan relied on Parma AND Sidonia
Consequences of the Spanish Armada
-Propaganda victory
-English Pride increases
-Anglo-Dutch alliance is strengthened
-England is known for its good navy
-Decline in Spanish strength but Philip is more determined
Anglo-Spanish war
-16 years long
-Ended with death of Liz and Philip
-Fought across the globe (sea off western Europe, Caribbean, on land in France, Ireland and the Netherlands)
-Liz looked for national security
-Some in court believed England was part of a war for religious and national survival against Catholicism (Burghley thought Spain wanted conquest)
the 2 views on the Anglo-Spanish war
1)England should concentrate its limited forces on the Netherlands and the defeat of Parma
2)England needed a more expansive naval campaign, the attacks of Hawkins and Drake were arguably self-financing
War with Spain at sea (post Armada)
-From 1595 launched 3 attacks on mainland Spain, including a short lived but impressive victory- the occupation of Cadiz, this failed due to no strategic follow up- humiliated Philip who sent another Armada (which failed due to storms)
-Drake and Hawkins attack Panama which fails and results in both their deaths 1594
-In 1597 Spain try to exploit an Irish rebellion for their own gain, England try a counter attack but the wind prevents this, however, the wind also prevented Philip’s fleet from landing in Ireland, lots of fear created so from 1599, naval activity was devoted to preventing any Spanish landings in Ireland- little achieved at a great cost
War in the Netherlands (post Armada)
-Main arena for war
-relationship between the Dutch and English improved when Sir Francis Vere was made commander 1589
-Vere had a good relationship with Dutch leader Maurice of Nassau
-Spanish troops in the Netherlands were unorganised and often mutinied moreover, Spain was overcommitted to France. This made it easy for the Dutch to retake land from Parma
-While costs in the Netherlands were high, the Dutch paid a share and by 1594 the Spanish had been expelled from the Northern Netherlands (union of Utrecht). Some of the success of the Dutch revolt was due to the English crown
Summary of Elizabeth’s foreign policy
Despite expenses and failures, Liz’s foreign policy was largely successful. The emphasis of her foreign policy changed from a dynastic/national security focus (early reign) to a more hard-headed approach in search of glory- but remaining in national interest. Although the war with Spain was expensive, Elizabeth ultimately fared much better than Philip with her victories increasing her reputation (AQA textbook opinion)
