Rivalry with Spain abroad

Question 1

Why did England and Spain have good relations at the start of Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 1

Marriage alliances (Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon / Philip II married to Mary) and fought together against France in 1550s

Question 2

Who controlled the Netherlands?

Answer 2

Spain / Philip II

Question 3

Why were the Netherlands important to England?

Answer 3

English exports to Europe were vital to the English economy – went through Dutch ports like Antwerp (in the Netherlands).

Question 4

Which port in the Netherlands was vital to England’s exports?

Answer 4

Antwerp

Question 5

Which countries did Philip II rule over?

Answer 5

Spain, Portugal, parts of Italy and the Netherlands. He also had an empire in North and South America and Asia (Philippines)

Question 6

Give two reasons why there was political rivalry between England and Spain?

Answer 6

Spanish ambassadors were involved or linked to the Throckmorton plot
Elizabeth refused to marry Philip so causing him considerable embarrassment

Question 7

What do you call English sailors who traded illegally with Spanish colonies and attacked Spanish treasure fleets?
Name two famous examples of these men

Answer 7

Privateers

John Hawkins and Francis Drake

Question 8

What examples are there of commercial rivalry between England and Spain

Answer 8

John Hawkins (English privateer) challenged the Spanish monopoly of the slave trade
Hawkins, Drake and other privateers stole from Spanish ships.  Key events were Nombre de Dios (1572) and Cacafuego (1579)

Question 9

What did Elizabeth do in 1568 with the Spanish ships laden with gold that took refuge in English ports?

Answer 9

Seized the gold for herself – ‘Genoese Loan’ – arguing it was money from Italian bankers and not, therefore, Spanish gold.

Question 10

When was the Genoese Loan?

Answer 10

1568

Question 11

How did Philip react to the seizure of the ‘Genoese Loan’?

Answer 11

Philip banned English trade with the Netherlands. This damaged England’s economy and forced merchants to look for new markets overseas.

Question 12

How did Elizabeth support the Dutch rebellion against Spanish rule in 1581?

Answer 12

Offered limited financial help to the rebels but did not want to provoke Philip.

Question 13

Why was Elizabeth initially reluctant to help the Dutch rebels in the Netherlands when they declared independence from Spain in 1581?

Answer 13

Reluctant to provoke Philip by getting directly involved

did offer limited financial help

Question 14

What was the name of the Dutch rebel who was assassinated in 1584?

Answer 14

William of Orange

Question 15

What was the name of the Treaty Elizabeth signed in 1585 which placed the Netherlands under her protection?

Answer 15

Treaty of Nonsuch.

Question 16

When was the Treaty of Nonsuch signed

Answer 16

1585

Question 17

Why did Elizabeth sign the Treaty of Nonsuch?

Answer 17

Religious - ensure freedom of worship for Dutch Protestants

Military - if rebels defeated – Philip could use the Netherlands as a base for an invasion

Commercial - key ports for English trade

Strategic - if Dutch rebels defeated interests then Spain would control Channel and Atlantic coasts of Europe

Question 18

How many troops did Elizabeth send to the Netherlands?

Answer 18

In 1585, England sent 7000 troops to the Netherlands.

Question 19

Who led the English military expedition to the Netherlands?

Answer 19

Robert Dudley (also known as the Earl of Leicester)

Question 20

Give two reasons why England was defeated in the Nederlands by the Spanish?

Answer 20

Leadership: Dudley was not a talented general and his officers were bitterly divided over strategy

Resources: English army was small and poorly equipped and funded compared with Spanish

Question 21

Who was the Spanish general leading the campaign against the Dutch rebels / English?

Answer 21

Duke of Parma

Question 22

What did Philip II do after Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch?

Answer 22

Prepared invasion of England. He began plans to build an Armada

Question 23

Which Spanish port did Francis Drake attack in 1587?

Answer 23

Cadiz

Question 24

Why did Francis Drake attack the port of Cadiz in 1587?

Answer 24

To slow down Spanish preparations for the Armada by destroying or raiding naval supplies.

Question 25

How many ships did Drake destroy in Cadiz?

Answer 25

30 ships

Question 26

How else did Drake slow down Philip’s preparations for the Armada?

Answer 26

Drake sailed along coast destroying supplies being sent to Lisbon and seized valuable ship – San Filipe – which allowed Elizabeth to improve English defences with money captured

Question 27

What was the impact of Drakes raid on Cadiz?

Answer 27

Destroyed planks of wood used to make barrels to carry food and water. Had to rely on poorer quality wood which did not preserve food or water well
Expensive – strained Spain’s finances
Delayed Armada fora year allowing England more time to prepare

Question 28

What was the nickname given to Drakes raid on Cadiz?

Answer 28

‘Singeing the King of Spain’s beard’

Question 29

When did the Armada depart?

Answer 29

May 1588

Question 30

Who led the Armada?

Answer 30

Duke of Medina Sidonia

– little military or naval experience.

Question 31

Who led the English fleet?

Answer 31

Lord Howard, Sir Francis Drake

– experienced seamen.

Question 32

Why was the Armada unable to join forces with Spanish troops waiting in the Netherlands?

Answer 32

Poor communication and the troops in the Netherlands were slowed down by Dutch ships blockading them.

Question 33

What did the English do to cause panic among the Spanish and lead them to cut their anchors?

Answer 33

Sent fireships towards the Spanish fleet while they were anchored at Calais

Question 34

What role did the wind play in the defeat of the Spanish Armada?

Answer 34

The wind changed direction and blew the Armada in to the North sea making it impossible to meet up with Parma. This was called the “Protestant wind”