Key Issue 6 - The Spanish Armada

Question 1

List three reasons for the Spanish Armada

Answer 1

• the ambitions of King Phillip II of Spain
• the war in the Netherlands
• the actions of English privateers in the Spanish Main

Question 2

What were Phillip’s religious beliefs?

Answer 2

He was a Catholic and possessed a firm belief that God was on his side. He saw his plans as a religious crusade, his ultimate aim was to see the restoration of Roman Catholicism.

Question 3

How did the war in the Netherlands affect England and Spain?

Answer 3

The Netherlands were economically important to Spain. In August 1566, there was a revolt that resulted in conflict between the Dutch Protestants and Dutch Catholics. Philip supported the Catholics, but Elizabeth supported the Protestants.

Question 4

How many troops did Philip send to the Netherlands in 1567?

Answer 4

10,000

Question 5

How many troops did Elizabetg send to the Netherlands in 1585?

Answer 5

5000 troops and 1000 cavalry

Question 6

What did Elizabeth encourage English privateers to do in the 1570s and 1580s?

Answer 6

Attack Spanish treasure ships bringing gold back to Spain. This began to have a serious impact on Spain’s economy.

Question 7

What did Drake do on 29th April 1587?

Answer 7

Attack Cadiz, where the armada was being held.

Question 8

How many boats did Drake destroy at Cadiz?

Answer 8

24-37

Question 9

How many ships were in the Spanish Armada?

Answer 9

130 galleons

Question 10

How many men were in the Spanish Armada?

Answer 10

30,000

Question 11

How many cannons were in the Spanish Armada?

Answer 11

1900

Question 12

How many soldiers in the Netherlands were waiting to join the Spanish Armada?

Answer 12

17,000

Question 13

How did England prepare for the Armada?

Answer 13

Raised a force of 20,000 men to fight on land and 200 ships (54 of which were light and fast moving battleships)

Question 14

What happened in Corunna on 19th June?

Answer 14

The Armada was hit by storms and forced to stop an make repairs.

Question 15

When was the Armada spotted in Cornwall?

Answer 15

29th July 1588

Question 16

Why were the British fire ships successful at Calais?

Answer 16

The Spanish ships panicked and cut their anchor ropes to escape destruction. They headed out to sea in all directions, breaking their protective crescent formation.

Question 17

When was the Battle of Gravelines?

Answer 17

8th August 1588

Question 18

How many:
a) Spanish sailors
b) English sailors
were killed in the Battle of Gravelines?

Answer 18

a) 1000

b) 50

Question 19

Why did the Spanish Armada fail?

Answer 19

• English strengths: the English ships were faster, smaller and more manoeuvrable
• Spanish weaknesses: the Spanish cannons were largely ineffective
• tactics: the fire ships made it impossible to control the fleet
• weather: the Spanish didn’t have maps and so struggled in the bad weather