Elizabethan Topic 6 - The Spanish Armaada

Question 1

What are the reasons for the Spanish armada

Answer 1

Ambitions of King Philip
Rejection of marriage by Elizabeth
War in the Netherlands
Actions of English privateers in Spanish Main 

Question 2

Why were the ambitions of King Philip of Spain a reason for the Spanish armada

Answer 2

The Spanish Empire was the most powerful wealthy empire in the world and Philip wanted to expand this and protect Catholicism

Question 3

Why was the rejection of marriage a reason for the Spanish armada

Answer 3

It prevented Philip from expanding the Spanish Empire and enforcing Catholicism

Question 4

What were the events in the Netherlands

Answer 4

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

Question 5

How did the actions of English privateers contribute to the reasons for Spanish Armada

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What was Phillips initial plan

Answer 6

Advance through the English Channel and gather 17,000 soldiers at Dunkirk
Then the armada would proceed up the Thames and capture Elizabeth

Question 7

Describe drakes attack on Cadiz

Answer 7

On the 20th of April 1587 Drake destroyed 37 ships and burnt timber supplies

Question 8

What was Drakes attack on Cadiz known as

Answer 8

Singed the King of Spain’s beard

Question 9

What was the impact of Drakes attack on Cadiz

Answer 9

Its allowed Britain more time to prepare defences as the armada had been delayed by a year

Question 10

After Drake’s attack what changes did Philip make to the plan

Answer 10

Duke of Medina Sidonia would lead the armada

Question 11

Describe the size of the armada 

Answer 11

64 battleships
30,000 men


Question 12

Describe England’s forces 

Answer 12

Soldiers were untrained and not properly equipped
The Navy was led by Lord Charley Howard
Drake and Hawkins were vice admirals
54 battleships 

Question 13

When did the armada start

Answer 13

28th of May 1588

Question 14

What formation Did the armada sail in

Answer 14

Crescent formation

Question 15

How did Lord Howard take advantage of the delay of the armada

Answer 15

On the 7th of August eight unmanned ships were filled with a gun powder unloaded cannons (fire ships) towards the armada

Question 16

How did the Spanish react to the fire ships

Answer 16

They broke out of the Crescent formations as they went out in all directions

Question 17

What were the events of the Battle of Gravelines

Answer 17

On the 8th of August 1588 English warships attacked the scattered armada
The fight lasted eight hours and English destroyed three Spanish ships

Question 18

Describe how the English pursued the armada

Answer 18

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

Question 19

During the armada how many ships did the English lose

Answer 19

Zero

Question 20

During the armada how many ships and men did the Spanish lose

Answer 20

51 ships
20,000 men

Question 21

What were the reasons for failure of the armada

Answer 21

Strengths of the English
Spanish weaknesses
Tactics
Weather

Question 22

What are the strengths of the English

Answer 22

The English ships were faster smaller and manoeuvrable


Question 23

What were the weaknesses of the Spanish

Answer 23

Duke of Medina Sidonia was inexperienced
Cannons were ineffective

Question 24

Why did the tactics of the English lead to failure 

Answer 24

The fire ships broke the crescent formation which was pivotal in order to target ships

Question 25

Why did the weather contribute to the failure of the armada

Answer 25

The weather blew the Spanish fleet towards Scotland and Ireland

Question 26

What were the results of the armada

Answer 26

No further catholic plots
War with Spain continued for a decade
England remained Protestant
English sailors continued to attack Spanish ships