Relations With Spain (PRE ARMARDA) Flashcards
Elizabeth’s foreign policy
Avoiding war: expensive, could influence revolts in England if rebels supported the enemy
Protecting the English throne
Protecting English borders
Developing and improving trade to benefit the English economy
English trade
English merchants making profits throughout Europe but Spain controlled the Netherlands (England’s main route to European markets. Spain claimed most of the Americas, making it difficult for England to benefit off of it’s natural resources- English ignored Spanish trading rules like liscences in America.
Privateers
Indivivduals with their own armed ships which capture other ship’s cargo on behalf of their government. Francis Drake did this on behalf of Elizabeth, capturing Spanish ships.
Francis drake is hired by Elizabeth (first two voyages)
1570-71: Drake’s expidition to the West Indies where he captures several Spanish ships and stole their cargoes.
1572: Elizabeth risks provoking war with Spain and hires Drake as a privateer. Drake goes to Panama and captures £40,000 worth of Spanish silver
Drake (1573)
War avoided with Spain as Phillip and Elizabeth were trying to improve relations. Elizabeth didn’t publically welcome back Drake but she was impressed in private
Drake’s 1577-80 voyage
Drake secretly ordered to retrieve Gold, Silver, Spices ect from South American colonies. In 1577 relations with Spain had worsened and Elizabeth wanted to enrich England and damage Spain’s trade. Drake returns in 1580 after circumnavigating the world with £400,000 and is knighted on the Golden Hind which angered Phillip.
Drake’s impact on relations with Spain
Showed England wasn’t happy with Spanish dominance in the new world, boosted crown’s finance, Elizabeth knighting him sent a clear message
Spanish Netherlands
Netherlands ruled by Catholic Spain. 1563- he bans import of English cloth in the Netherlands so Elizabeth ceases trading with Netherlands altogether. This embargo lasts a year and affected both countries. Since the 1550s Spain had been interfering in Dutch affairs and reorganised their government and church. Brought in Spanish Inquisition. United Dutch Catholics and Protestants against Spain.
Dutch Revolt
Began in 1566. 1567- Duke of Alba arrives with 10,000 men and crushes rebellion in 1568. Alba establishes Council of Troubles to enforce catholicism and obedience to Spain. It was made up of Loyal Dutch Nobles and Spanish officials. Ignored local law and legal processes and sentances thousands to death. Thousands of Dutch protestants flee, many to England
Alba’s presence in the Netherlands was a threat because…
His army was in easy striking distance of England which especially concerened Sir William Cecil. Elizabeth didn’t want to be seen as Europe’s leading protestant monarch. She wished to avoid war and openly condemned Dutch rebels however they still came to England. War with Spain or both Spain and France would’ve been damaging and a war over religion could inspire civil war.
Sea Beggars
Dutch rebels who took to sea and attacked Spanish ships in the English channel which carried men and resources to Alba. Elizabeth allowed Sea Beggars to settle in English harbours in 1567. In 1568, Spanish ships carrying gold to pay Alba’s men toom refuge from Sea Beggars in English ports. Elizabeth took the money herself as she argued that, because it was a loan from bankers in the Italian city of Geona, it wasn’t actually Spanish money. This is known as the Geonese loan and greatly angered the Spanish.
What was Elizabeth trying to achieve with her involvement in the Dutch revolt
Wanted to protect English interests while avoiding war: Created difficulties for the Spanish in hopes that it would encourage them to leave the Netherlands and return Netherlands to deal made in 1548 where it had Dutch autonomy.
How did the situation in the Netherlands affect relations with Spain
Damaged them: Allowed Spanish shipping and colonies to be attacked by privateers. Elizabeth started trying for friendly relations with France. Encouraged others to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands.
Attempted marriage alliance with France
In the 1570s Elizabeth offered a marriage alliance with French heir, Duke of Alençon to alarm the Spanish into leaving the Netherlands. This didn’t alarm Phillip so she encouraged Alençon to attack the Netherlands which was risky because it gave France an opportunity to take the Netherlands for themselves.
Spanish Fury
1576- despite riches being brought from the new world the cost of war in the Netherlands was too expensive for Spain. Spanish troops, after not recieving payment for months, mutinied, raided Antwerp and united all 17 Dutch provinces. They drew up the Pacification of Ghent.
