The Armada Flashcards
What were the causes and events leading up to the Spanish Armada?
- Religious differences
- Marriage rejection
- Piracy
- The civil war in France
- Spain supported Catholic plots
- The Dutch Revolt
- Elizabeth’s army joined the Dutch rebels
How did religious differences lead to the Armada?
Spain was a Catholic country and England a Protestant country – meaning that the two rulers had conflicting spiritual outlooks and allegiances.
How did the marriage rejection lead to the Armada?
King Philip II of Spain had been married to Elizabeth’s sister, Mary I. When Mary died he offered to marry Elizabeth but she rejected him.
How did piracy lead to the Armada?
English sailors like Hawkins and Drake attacked and stole treasure from Spanish ships in the New World. King Philip was furious but Elizabeth encouraged and rewarded adventurers.
How did the civil war in France lead to the Armada?
France was the traditional enemy of both England and Spain, meaning that they united together against the country. Now France was in civil war it was preoccupied with its own issues and no longer posed a threat – so the alliance between Spain and England was not necessary anymore.
How did Spain supporting Catholic plots in France lead to the Armada?
There was evidence of Spanish support for plots to restore Catholicism to England, particularly involving getting Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and Elizabeth off.
How did The Dutch Revolt in France lead to the Armada?
Protestants in the Netherlands began a revolt against Spanish rule in 1572. Elizabeth secretly supported the Dutch rebels because she knew the Dutch revolt would keep the Spanish too busy to threaten England.
How did Elizabeth’s army joining the Dutch rebels lead to the Armada?
In 1585, Elizabeth sent an army to help the Dutch rebels fight Spain. For the first time English and Spanish armies were fighting each other. England and Spain were now at war.
