Foreign Relations: Spain + The Netherlands Flashcards
What was the relationship between England + Spain like when Elizabeth came to the throne? Why?
Good
Mary had been married to Philip (marriage alliance)
Why did England + Spain want to remain on good terms after Elizabeth came to power?
- Elizabeth wanted to avoid an expensive + risky war
- Philip wanted to keep England as an ally against France
- Trade
What did Philip do when Elizabeth gained power to try to maintain good Anglo-Spanish relations?
Marriage proposal
Why did Elizabeth reject Philip’s marriage proposal?
Wanted to use herself being single as a foreign policy strategy
Why was Spain wealthy?
Gold + silver shipments from colonies in the New World made them a rich, key trading power
What happened to Anglo-Spanish relations in the 1560s-70s?
Started to deteriorate
Give 5 reasons why Anglo-Spanish relations started to deteriorate in the 1560s-70s
1) Trade disagreements
2) Actions of John Hawkins
3) Increasing Protestantism in England
4) Philip’s support for Catholic rebellions + plots in England
5) Situation in the Netherlands
Give an example of a trade disagreement that damaged Anglo-Spanish relations in the 1560s-70s
Nov 1568
- Storm
- Spanish ships sheltered in English ports
- Spanish carried £85,000 to pay Duke of Alva in his campaign to crush the Dutch rebels
- Elizabeth seized the ships + cargo
- Philip + Alva seized English ships in Dutch ports + banned trade with England
Who was John Hawkins?
English naval commander + privateer (commanded ship commissioned by gov to engage in warfare)
How did the actions of John Hawkins cause Anglo-Spanish relations in the 1560s-70s to deteriorate?
Led English efforts to break the Spanish trading monopoly in the Caribbean, massively infuriating the Spanish
What did the Spanish do with John Hawkins?
Blockaded his ships in Mexican port in 1568 during his 3rd expedition
How did increasing Protestantism in England cause Anglo-Spanish relations in the 1560s-70s to deteriorate?
Philip + Spain were Catholic and opposed Elizabeth having England as Protestant (especially after 1570 excommunication)
Give an example of a Catholic rebellion in England supported by Spain
1569 Northern Rebellion
(Spanish ambassador encouraged rebel leaders in their anti-Elizabeth rebellion + the rebels even requested aid from Philip)
Who were the leaders of the 1569 Northern Rebellion
Northumberland + Westmorland
Give an example of a Catholic plot against Elizabeth supported by Spain
1571 Ridolfi Plot
Duke of Norfolk convinced Pope + Spanish it had potential and should be supported
How did the situation in the Netherlands cause the deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations?
- Philip wanted more direct Spanish (Catholic) control there
- Elizabeth pressurised to help the Dutch Protestant rebels
How was the Netherlands ruled in the 1560s?
Semi-autonomous Spanish rule by Philip
What was Philip’s title over the Netherlands?
Lord of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands
What was England’s role in the Netherlands pre-rebellions?
Netherlands (Antwerp) were England’s most important trading partner (particularly of cloth) - 75% English trade passed through Antwerp
Why did Spanish control of the Netherlands threaten English?
Netherlands were close to England + the Spanish could launch a Catholic invasion of England from this stronghold
Who was the 1563 Trade Dispute between?
English + Netherlands (+ Spanish)
What did Granvelle accuse English of in the 1563 Trade Dispute?
Charging Dutch merchants too highly + trying to spread Protestantism in the Netherlands
What was the outcome of the 1563 Trade Dispute?
Trade embargo between England + Netherlands (+ Spain) for a year until trade was restored by Philip removing Granvelle
What was the 1566 Dutch rebellion?
Dutch rebellion against their Spanish masters in the Netherlands
What were the 3 main reasons why the Dutch rebelled against the Spanish from 1566?
1) POLITICAL - Spain trying to centralise Netherland’s gov
2) SOCIAL - Conflict between Dutch + Spanish speakers
3) RELIGIOUS - N.Neth were embracing Protestantism
How long did the 1566 Dutch rebellion last?
1 year (but it was the start of a chain of rebellions by the Dutch against the Spanish)
Who led the rebels in the 1566 Dutch rebellion?
William Duke of Orange
Who was sent by Philip to crush the 1566 Dutch rebellion?
Duke of Alva
Did Elizabeth get involved in the 1566 Dutch rebellion? Why?
No - too risky to antagonise the Spanish
What was the main focus of Anglo-Spanish relations in the 1570s?
The ongoing in the Netherlands (as the Dutch revolt tried to expel the Spanish)
Who were the sea beggars?
Dutch pirates licensed by William Duke of Orange (Protestant leader)
What did Elizabeth do to the sea beggars in 1572?
Expelled them from English ports
Forced to land at Brielle (Dutch port)
When the sea beggars landed in Netherlands, what was initiated?
Dutch revolt (against Spanish rule in Netherlands)
In what year had the Dutch revolt spread to all 17 Netherlands provinces?
1576
What was the Spanish Fury?
1576
- Spanish troops in Netherlands angry at irregular pay
- Spanish troops refused Dutch authority + sacked Antwerp
How did the Spanish Fury (1576) impact the Dutch revolt (1572 onwards)?
United the Netherlands (Protestants + Catholics across all provinces), fuelling the Dutch revolt
What was the Pacification of Ghent (1576)?
Demand by the Dutch revolters for:
1) Removal of Spanish troops
2) Restoration of the provinces’ “rights + liberties”
When was the Pacification of Ghent?
1576
Did the Pacification of Ghent (1576) work?
In the short term
- Philip in bad position (Spanish Governor just died)
- Philip accepted terms in the Perpetual Edict (1577)
BUT - Only lasted 6 months before Spanish returned
During the Dutch revolt, how did the Netherlands divide?
Divided in 2
1) Union of Utrecht (mostly northern + Protestant)
2) Union of Arras (mostly southern + Catholic)
Which was the more northern, Protestant half of the Netherlands in the Dutch revolt?
Union of Utrecht
What was the more southern, Catholic part of the Netherlands in the Dutch revolt?
Union of Arras
Once the Netherlands had been divided into its 2 halves in the Dutch revolt, which side made peace with Spain?
Union of Arras (more southern + Catholic)
Elizabeth was not giving direct support to the Dutch rebels in the Dutch revolt, but she was becoming more anti-Spanish, give 3 examples
1) Supported Don Antonio (Portuguese pretender - 1580)
2) Knighted Sir Francis Drake (1581)
3) Treated the Spanish ambassador contemptuously
Who was Don Antonio?
Portuguese pretender who claimed the throne of Portugal after the Spanish annexed it in 1580
When did Spain annex Portugal?
1580
What was Sir Francis Drake most famous for?
Circumnavigating the globe
Why did Elizabeth knighting Sir Francis Drake annoy the Spanish?
Spanish disliked Drake - saw him as threat to Spanish naval monopoly
When did Elizabeth knight Sir Francis Drake?
1581
Why did Elizabeth delay supporting the Dutch Protestants against the Spanish in the Dutch revolt?
Feared a war with Spain
What event was a turning point that caused Elizabeth to see a Spanish War as inevitable, so she decided to support the Dutch Protestants?
After the Treaty of Joinville (1584)
When was the Treaty of Joinville?
1584
What was the Treaty of Joinville (1584)?
Treaty between Henry of Guise (Catholic League) + Philip
Acknowledged Philip as protector of the League + promised to rid France of Huguenots with Spanish military assistance
Why did the Treaty of Joinville encourage Elizabeth to finally support the Dutch rebels?
Saw Spain as a significant threat
Foreign: this alliance with the Guises could lead to a Franco-Spanish invasion of England
Domestic: this alliance with the Guises could support Mary Queen of Scots
When was William of Orange (Dutch Protestant rebel leader) assassinated?
1584
When was the Treaty of Nonsuch?
1585
What was the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585)?
Elizabeth’s agreement to ally with the Dutch Protestants and give direct support (military, not just financial) in their conflict against the Spanish
From when did Elizabeth give the Dutch Protestants financial support?
From 1581
From when did Elizabeth give the Dutch Protestants direct military support?
From 1585 (Treaty of Nonsuch)
What military support did Elizabeth pledge the Dutch Protestants in the Treaty of Nonsuch?
- 7000 men under the Earl of Leicester (Dudley)
- Permission for naval captains (E.g. Drake) to attack Spanish ships
Were Leicester’s troops (military support pledged by Elizabeth in the Treaty of Nonsuch) successful in helping the Dutch Protestants? Why?
No
- Ill disciplined (poor, irregular pay)
- English commander argued (+ 2 key officers were traitors - left to support Parma’s Spanish forces)
- Leicester argued with the Dutch
Name the 2 English officers who betrayed Leicester’s help for the Dutch + joined Parma’s Spanish forces?
- William Stanley
- Rowland Yorke
What was the impact of the Treaty of Nonsuch (1585) on Anglo-Spanish relations?
Confirmed the bad relations between them (after their deterioration)
What did Leicester do in Jan 1588?
Returned to England + Resigned after his forces failed to bring a Dutch Protestant victory
When was the Anglo-Spanish War?
1585-1604
What treaty marked the start of the Anglo-Spanish War?
Treaty of Nonsuch
When did the Spanish Armada reach England?
Summer 1588
Why did Philip send the Spanish Armada?
Believed he was doing God’s work by launching a Catholic crusade
Why was the Spanish Armada delayed?
England’s attack on Cadiz (Spanish harbour) in April 1587 delayed the Armada 1 yr
When did the Armada set sail?
22nd July 1588
What happened to the Armada after setting sail?
- Intended to go to Gravelines (Neth) to pick up Parma’s army
- Engaged in indecisive battle in Channel (30th July-6th Aug)
- Lost + returned to Spain
What were the 3 key reasons why the Spanish Armada was defeated?
1) Weather conditions/luck
2) English strengths
3) Spanish weaknesses
How many ships were in the Spanish Armada vs the English fleet?
- Spanish: approx 130 (18,000 men)
- English: 34 of the royal fleet + approx 160 other supporting ships
Who led the Spanish Armada?
Duke of Medina-Sidonia (after death of Santa Cruz)
Give 3 English strengths against the 1588 Armada
1) Advanced tech: new cannons (more accurate, longer range)
2) Better strategies: fired from longer range + used ‘fireships’ to startle Spanish
3) More experienced sailors, encouraged by higher pay
Did the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 end the Anglo-Spanish War?
No
When did the Anglo-Spanish War end?
1604 - after death of Elizabeth + Philip
What sea fronts was the Anglo-Spanish War fought on?
- Off Spain
- In Caribbean (Spanish colonies)
What land fronts was the Anglo-Spanish War fought on?
- France
- Netherlands
- Ireland
What are the disputed reasons Elizabeth was involved in the Anglo-Spanish War?
Certain: fought for national security against Spanish
Disputed: did she also fight for religious interest? (I think NO)
Was the sea front fighting in the Anglo-Spanish War mainly successful or unsuccessful for England? Why?
Mainly Successful - defeated main Armada
Some weaknesses - failing to capitalise on opportunities and make a big push to win the war, meaning it was drawn-out and expensive
Give an example of England failing to capitalise on opportunities to win the Anglo-Spanish War during fighting on sea fronts
Capture of Cadiz (1596)
- Successful raid by Howard + Devereux
- Cadiz occupied + 4 galleons sunk (humiliating Philip)
- No strategic follow up by Elizabeth (so success only short term)
Where was most of the on-land fighting done in the Anglo-Spanish War?
Netherlands
Who replaced Leicester in 1588 as the new commander of English forces in the Netherlands?
Sir Francis de Vere
Was fighting in the Netherlands mainly successful or unsuccessful after 1588? Why?
Successful
- Sir Francis de Vere was a much more capable leader - making English forces stronger
- Spanish forces weakened by: troop rebellion + overcommitment in France
By what date had the Dutch expelled the Spanish from all of the northern Netherlands?
1594
What happened to the North + South of the Netherlands at the end of the Anglo-Spanish War?
North (Union of Utrecht): Independent state
South (Union of Arras): Technically under Spanish sovereignty but had greater autonomy
Did the English + Dutch achieve their aim in the Netherlands?
Yes
- Dutch regained control of their country from Spanish
- English prevented Spain gaining a threatening stronghold in the Netherlands
How were Anglo-Spanish relations when Elizabeth died?
Fairly bad - still in a war, but England in fairly good position as Spanish had been pushed out of Netherlands
Who excommunicated Elizabeth?
Pope Pius V
What were the 2 places in the Netherlands in the hands of the rebels in 1580s when the Duke of Parma’s reconquest of the Northern Netherlands (Utrecht) gained momentum?
Holland + Zeeland
Give 3 weaknesses of the Spanish in the 1588 Armada
1) Worse tactics - tried to fight man-man
2) Weak leadership - Medina Sidonia replaced Santa Cruz
When did England lead a failed attack on Spanish in Portugal ?
(Part of war at sea)
1589
When did Hawkins + Drake lead a failed attack on Spanish in their Caribbean colonies?
1595-6
