The Cádiz Expedition, September 1625 Flashcards
What was the Cádiz Expedition, and when did it take place?
The Cádiz Expedition was an English military campaign launched in September 1625 as part of Charles I and Buckingham’s broader anti-Spanish policy.
What were the primary reasons behind the anti-Spanish sentiment leading to the Cádiz Expedition?
Anti-Spanish sentiment was fueled by Protestant solidarity and the desire to support the Elector Frederick, Charles’s brother-in-law, in reclaiming the Palatinate.
How did Charles I’s marriage to Henrietta Maria influence Parliament’s concerns?
Charles’s marriage to the Catholic princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625 included concessions to Catholics, which alarmed Parliament as it was seen as undermining Protestant values.
How did the Mansfeld Expedition (1624) impact perceptions of Charles and Buckingham’s military strategies?
The Mansfeld Expedition’s failure raised doubts about the efficacy of Charles and Buckingham’s ability to manage military campaigns effectively.
What were the two main objectives of the Cádiz Expedition?
The objectives were:
- To open a second front against Spain, diverting Spanish resources from the Palatinate.
- To capture Cádiz and seize Spanish treasure ships to weaken Spain economically and enrich England.
How was the Cádiz Expedition funded?
The campaign was financed by Henrietta Maria’s £120,000 dowry.
What were the key failures of the Cádiz Expedition?
The English forces failed to capture Cádiz, soldiers became drunk on Spanish wine, and no Spanish treasure ships were seized.
What was Parliament’s reaction to the failure of the Cádiz Expedition?
Parliament was outraged, citing wasted resources, humiliation, and the failure as evidence of poor governance by Charles and Buckingham.
Who was held responsible for the Cádiz Expedition’s failure, and why?
George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, as Lord High Admiral, was held responsible for the disaster, damaging his reputation further and increasing opposition to him in Parliament.
How did the Cádiz Expedition contribute to England’s financial strain?
The failure consumed significant resources with no return, exacerbating the financial crisis and highlighting ineffective fiscal and military policies.
How did the Cádiz Expedition reflect Charles’s approach to governance?
The expedition showcased poor planning and Charles’s tendency to make arbitrary decisions, such as pursuing war without adequate parliamentary support.
What was the significance of the Cádiz Expedition in the relationship between Charles I and Parliament?
The failure heightened tensions, as Parliament questioned Charles’s leadership and Buckingham’s competence, contributing to the dissolution of Parliament in 1626.
Who was Elector Frederick, and why was he significant in the context of the Cádiz Expedition?
Elector Frederick was Charles’s brother-in-law, ousted from the Palatinate by Spanish forces, symbolising Protestant resistance against Catholic Spain.
What was the Palatinate, and why was it strategically important?
The Palatinate was a region in the Holy Roman Empire that held symbolic and strategic importance in Protestant-Catholic conflicts.
How did the Cádiz Expedition foreshadow Charles I’s Personal Rule?
Charles’s reliance on arbitrary decisions, like pursuing war without sufficient parliamentary support, hinted at the governance style of his later Personal Rule (1629–1640).
How does fiscal-military theory apply to the Cádiz Expedition?
The failure exemplified poor financial management, emphasizing the need for effective fiscal strategies for military success.
What early signs of conflict between monarchy and Parliament were evident in the Cádiz Expedition?
The expedition highlighted disputes over control of finances and military policy, foreshadowing later constitutional crises.
How did Buckingham’s role in the Cádiz Expedition affect his standing?
Buckingham’s repeated military failures, including Cádiz, made him a symbol of corruption and incompetence, intensifying parliamentary critiques and constitutional disputes.
