Spanish Armada 1588 Flashcards
What were the causes of the armada?
- Religion (catholocism + protestantism)
- Revenge (netherlands + mary)
- Commercial rivalry (£400,000 of Spanish possessions stolen between 1577-79 by drake)
- Spain was doing well in conquering Portugal, the New world and controlling the Netherlands
What was the game plan for the armada?
130 ships with 30,000 men would leave in what was the largest fleet in european history under the command of the new naval leader, the duke of Medina-Sidonia. The fleet was to meet Parma’s mem from the netherlands and the two would sail to kent with 27000 men and invade.
What was the contribution of the English naval superiority to the victory?
English used Galleons which were easy and fast with faster recoil of cannons (however england only had 8). England also used fire ships to scatter and cause panic like at the battle of Gravelines. England also spotted the spanish from the isles scilly meaning they could intercept before flemish/dutch troops came to meet medina.
How were the spanish incompetent?
Medina-Sidonia was a new naval commander with no experience as the previous commander (santa cruz) died. Philip ignored all advisors. The spanish failed to take into account the two days taken for parma to leave the Netherlands as he had no deep sea ports leaving medina and his men sitting in the channel like ducks ready to be shot.
How did the weather play a role in the armada’s failure?
Weather meant the armada was at sea for 10 weeks before first engagement. Strong gales made attack harder and caused many ships to get wrecked and on the way back loads of ships got wrecked in scotland and ireland.
How did the Cadiz raid benefit england when the armada came?
Terrible spanish supplies. Drake destroyed so many barrels that new ones had to be built with bad wood and food was rotting. Cannon balls were poor quality the spanish had terrible supply levels.
What did the Spanish rely on?
Parma’s dutch reinforcements to meet them but they never came as Dudley still had control of all deep sea ports
What were spanish naval tactics?
They were to try and get close to English ships as they had lots of short range guns. However, they also used a crescent formation to fight the English but the English could scatter this formation with the fire ships (for example at gravelines)
