The Causes Of And Events Leading Up To The Spanish Armada - Early Elizabethan England 1558-88

Question 1

What were Elizabeth’s policy aims?

Answer 1

• Avoiding war, which would cost a lot of money could potentially lead to Elizabeth being overthrown, if English rebels supported the enemy
• Protecting England’s borders
• Protecting the English throne
• Developing and improving trade to benefit the English economy

Question 2

Note :

Answer 2

Merchant - trade resources
New World - North and South America. Europeans were only aware of their existence from 1492
Privateer - Historically, individuals usually merchants or explorers) with their own armed ships that capture other ships for their cargoes, often with the authority or support of their government.

Question 3

Why did English merchants begin to explore new markets?

Answer 3

During Elizabeth I’s reign, English merchants began to explore new markets (such as Russia, China, India) as there were new profits to be made in the New World.However, English merchants faced problems in developing trade such as Spain controlling the Netherlands, England’s main route to the markets and spain controlled much of the new world where there were valuable, new trading oppurtunities.

If you wanted to trade with the New World, you needed a licence from Spain, which were hard to come by. Some English merchants traded illegally without licences. Some even attacked Spanish Ports and shipping. Phillip II could not ignore this change because of Spain’s interests in the New World

Question 4

What was Francis Drakes impact on their relationship with Spain?

Answer 4

• His actions made it clear that England did not accept Spain’s dominance in the New World
• He boosted the Crown’s finances significantly
• Elizabeth’s Knighting of him sent a clear message to Spain

Question 5

Why was Elizabeth reluctant to help the situation in the Netherlands?

Answer 5

• She wanted to avoid anything that would lead to war with spain
• If she took direct action supporting Dutch Protestant rebels against their lawful monarch, Philip II might do the same with his Catholic rebels in England
• Spain would have the backing of the pope, which could encourage English Catholics to welcome a Spanish invasion
• The pope’s backing means that France, as a Catholic nation, could side with Spain
• It would be too costly and England’s finances are not as strong as Spains

Question 6

What happened in the 1570s?

Answer 6

In the 1570’s, Elizabeth offered the promise of a marriage alliance with the heir to the french throne, the Duke of Algenon. She hoped to alarm Philip I of Spain enough to give the Dutch their independence back when it didn’t, she used her influence with the Duke of Algenon to encourage him to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands.However, this was a risky Strategy as Elizabeth did not want the French to be too successful in case they took control of the Netherlands themselves

Question 7

What was the Spanish Fury?

Answer 7

Where Spains forces finally mutinied after months without pay, rampaging through Dutch provinces and finally sacking Antwerd in November 1576.

Question 8

What was the Pacification of Ghent?

Answer 8

The violence in Atwerp united all 17 Dutch provinces, protestant and Catholic togetner against spain. They drew up the Pacification of Ghent which demanded:

• All Spanish troops were to be expelled from the Netherlands
• The restoration of political autonomy
• An end to religious persecution

Question 9

Why had England become directly involved in the Netherlands by 1585? (Elizabeth’s actions)

Answer 9

• Hired a mercenary (John Casmir) and financed him to raise an army of 6,000 English and Scottish volunteers to help the Dutch
• Elizabeth hesitated in intervening with the Dutch directly which made the Dutch ask France for more. Duke of Alcenon agreed
• Elizabeth helped the Duke of Alcenon by donating £70,000 for support of the Netherlands (with the promise of more later)

Question 10

Why had England become directly involved in the Netherlands by 1585? (Events beyond her control)

Answer 10

• Duke of Parma sent by Philip I,far more effective leader than Don Juan and Spanish gain upper hand 1579
• In 1580, Philip gained Portugal, along with it’s empire and naval forces.Spain stronger and more wealth gained
• 1584, 10th June, Duke of Alcenon was killed and one month later 10th July,Wiliam of Orange, Leader of Dutch Protestant rebels was assassinared
• At the end of 1584, the french Catholic League signed the treaty of Joville with Phillip II to secure help against French protestants