Elizabethan Topic 6 - The Spanish Armaada Flashcards
What are the reasons for the Spanish armada
Ambitions of King Philip
Rejection of marriage by Elizabeth
War in the Netherlands
Actions of English privateers in Spanish Main 
Why were the ambitions of King Philip of Spain a reason for the Spanish armada
The Spanish Empire was the most powerful wealthy empire in the world and Philip wanted to expand this and protect Catholicism
Why was the rejection of marriage a reason for the Spanish armada
It prevented Philip from expanding the Spanish Empire and enforcing Catholicism
What were the events in the Netherlands
Elizabeth supplied the Dutch Protestants with money and supplies
After the Protestants took over the north of the Netherlands Elizabeth became protector of the Dutch Protestants
How did the actions of English privateers contribute to the reasons for Spanish Armada
In 1572 drake ambushed Spanish ships in the Caribbean which contained silver
In 1577 Drake captured £140,000 worth of gold silver and jewels
Drake and other privateers were starting to have a serious impact on Spanish economy
What was Phillips initial plan
Advance through the English Channel and gather 17,000 soldiers at Dunkirk
Then the armada would proceed up the Thames and capture Elizabeth
Describe drakes attack on Cadiz
On the 20th of April 1587 Drake destroyed 37 ships and burnt timber supplies
What was Drakes attack on Cadiz known as
Singed the King of Spain’s beard
What was the impact of Drakes attack on Cadiz
Its allowed Britain more time to prepare defences as the armada had been delayed by a year
After Drake’s attack what changes did Philip make to the plan
Duke of Medina Sidonia would lead the armada
Describe the size of the armada 
64 battleships
30,000 men

Describe England’s forces 
Soldiers were untrained and not properly equipped
The Navy was led by Lord Charley Howard
Drake and Hawkins were vice admirals
54 battleships 
When did the armada start
28th of May 1588
What formation Did the armada sail in
Crescent formation
How did Lord Howard take advantage of the delay of the armada
On the 7th of August eight unmanned ships were filled with a gun powder unloaded cannons (fire ships) towards the armada
How did the Spanish react to the fire ships
They broke out of the Crescent formations as they went out in all directions
What were the events of the Battle of Gravelines
On the 8th of August 1588 English warships attacked the scattered armada
The fight lasted eight hours and English destroyed three Spanish ships
Describe how the English pursued the armada
On the 9th of August the armada sailed into the north sea and would now proceed the coast of Scotland and Ireland
The passage around Scotland and Ireland lost Spain 27 ships due to shipwreck
During the armada how many ships did the English lose
Zero
During the armada how many ships and men did the Spanish lose
51 ships
20,000 men
What were the reasons for failure of the armada
Strengths of the English
Spanish weaknesses
Tactics
Weather
What are the strengths of the English
The English ships were faster smaller and manoeuvrable

What were the weaknesses of the Spanish
Duke of Medina Sidonia was inexperienced
Cannons were ineffective
Why did the tactics of the English lead to failure 
The fire ships broke the crescent formation which was pivotal in order to target ships
Why did the weather contribute to the failure of the armada
The weather blew the Spanish fleet towards Scotland and Ireland
What were the results of the armada
No further catholic plots
War with Spain continued for a decade
England remained Protestant
English sailors continued to attack Spanish ships
