Elizabeth's Foreign policy in 1560s (Spain)

Question 1

What was the situation with France in the 1560s?

Answer 1

France:
- Elizabeth had unsuccessfully intervened in France to aid Protestant rebels, and English forces had been driven out. In doing so she had broken the terms of indemnity of the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, and therefore given up future ownership of Calais.

• The terms of the 1564 Treaty of Troyes were unfavourable, however by 1564 relations began to improve again, and marriage negotiations took place with Anjou in 1568.

Question 2

What was the situation with Scotland in the 1560s?

Answer 2

Scotland:
- Elizabeth’s intervention to aid Scottish Lords against French occupation had been successful, partly due to luck.

• The 1560 Treaty of Edinburgh recognised the Protestant Lords of the Congregation as the government of Scotland and agreed French withdrawal. However, Mary Queen of Scots returned in 1561, leaving a Catholic successor north of the border.

Question 3

What was the situation with Spain/Netherlands in the 1560s?

Answer 3

Spain/Netherlands:
- The traditional alliance still existed which both wished to maintain, also due to trade + Phillip persuaded the Pope to not excommunicate Elizabeth twice.

In 1560 Phillip tried to increase control in the Netherlands partly to root out heresy there and sent an army under the Duke of Alba to deal with a supposed rebellion. Elizabeth came under pressure to aid Protestants but was reluctant after France.

Question 4

What were the major reasons for declining English-Spanish relations in the 1560s?

Answer 4

Anglo-spanish relations were cordial iuntill the later 1560s when they deteriorated due to;

• Hawkins attempts to break the Spanish trading monopoly in the Caribbean which infuriated the Spanish + in sept 1568 his fleet was blockaded in Mexican port of San Juan + Hawkins ships were sunk by the spanish.
• The English found opportunities to consistently harass + antagonise the Spanish. In November 1568 a storm forced several spanish vessels carrying 400,000 lorins intended to pay the army of the Duke of Dlba Phillips general in the Netherlands elizabeth impounded the money which led Alba to seize english ships + property in the netherlands
• The situation in the Netherlands Phillps desire for tighter political organisation + the control. Elizabeth thus came under pressure from protestant councillors + the dutch but she was reluctant to take this action having suffered from her French adventure.

Question 5

What was Elizabeths 4 key aims for ForeignPolicy throughout her reign?

Answer 5

• Maintain security in the Northern/channel coast + keep England safe from threats + invasion
• Strengthen the dynasty by diplomacy + possible marriage negotiations.
• Keep good trade by maintaining the semi-indepednant status of the Netherlands
• Prestige; regain England’s position as a European power + expand interests in the new world