Rivalry with Spain abroad Flashcards
Why did Elizabeth and Spain have good relations at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?
The Marriage Alliance (Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon/ Phillip II married Mary) and fought together against France in the 1550s.
Who controlled the Netherlands?
Spain/ Phillip II
Why where the Netherlands important to Elizabeth?
English exports to Europe were vital for England’s economy- went through Dutch ports like Antwerp (in the Netherlands).
Which port in the Netherlands was vital to England’s exports?
Antwerp
Which countries did Phillip II rule over?
Spain, Portugal, parts of Italy and the Netherlands. He also had an empire in North and South America and Asia (Philippines).
Give two reasons why there was political rivalry between England and Spain.
Spanish ambassadors were linked to the Throckmorton Plot.
Elizabeth refused to marry Phillip which caused him severe embarrassment.
The situation in the Netherlands is an example of this political rivalry.
What do you call English sailors that traded illegally with Spanish colonies and attacked Spanish treasure fleets? Name two famous examples of these men.
Privateers. John Hawkins and Francis Drake.
What examples are there of commercial rivalry?
John Hawkins (English privateer) challenged the Spanish monopoly over the slave trade. Hawkins, Drake and other privateers stole from Spanish ships. Key events were Nombre de Dios (1572) and Cacafuego (1579). Drake captured £40,000 of silver in 1572 and returned with £400,000 worth of treasure after circumnavigating the globe in 1580.
How did Elizabeth help Dutch rebels against the Spanish in 1568?
After the Dutch revolted against the Spanish, Elizabeth sheltered Dutch sea-beggars in her ports.
What did Elizabeth do in 1568 with the Spanish ships laden with gold that took refuge in English ports?
Seized the gold for herself- ‘Genoese Loan’- arguing it was money from Italian bankers and not, therefore, Spanish gold.
How did Phillip react to the seizure of the ‘Genoese Loan’?
Phillip banned English trade with the Netherlands. This damaged the English economy and forced English merchants to look for new markets overseas.
Who did Elizabeth encourage to help the Dutch against the Spanish in the 1570s?
The French Duke of Alencon.
What did the Spanish sign with the dutch after they went bankrupt in 1576?
The Pacification of Gent asked the Spanish to leave the Netherlands. The Spanish then ignored this and invaded the Netherlands again.
How did Elizabeth increase the help she was giving the Dutch in 1577?
She sent John Casimir a mercenary to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands. This failed.
How did Elizabeth support the Dutch rebellion against the Spanish rule in 1581?
Offered limited financial help to the rebels but didn’t want to provoke Phillip II.
She also knighted Drake in 1581 angering Phillip.
Why was Elizabeth initially reluctant to help the Dutch rebels in the Netherlands against the Spanish?
She was reluctant to provoke Philip by getting directly involved (did offer limited financial help).
What was the name of the Dutch rebel who was assassinated in 1584?
William of Orange
What did the French and Spanish sign in 1584 and how did this impact England?
After the Duke of Alencon died, France and Spain signed the treaty of Joinville which meant that England was now isolated. The Privy Council pushed Elizabeth to send an army to the Netherlands.
What was the name of the Treaty Elizabeth signed in 1585 which placed the Netherlands under her protection?
Treaty of Nonsuch.
Give two reasons why Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch?
Religious- ensure freedom of worship for Dutch Protestants
Military- if the rebels were defeated Philip could use the Netherlands as a base for invasion.
Commercial- key ports for English trade.
Strategy- if Dutch rebels defeated interests, Spain would control the Channel and Atlantic coasts of Europe.
How many troops did Elizabeth send to the Netherlands?
In 1585, England sent 7,000 troops to the Netherlands.
Who led the English military expedition to the Netherlands?
Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester)
What title did Robert Dudley accept when he arrived in the Netherlands and why did Elizabeth force him to resign his position as a result?
Governer-General of the Netherlands. She forced him to resign because they were at risk of provoking Philip. And seizing control of the Netherlands.
Give two reasons why England was defeated in the Netherlands?
Leadership- Dudley was not a talented general and his officers where bitterly divided over strategy.
Resources- English army was small and poorly equipped and funded compared to Spain.
