The causes of and events leading up to the Spanish Armada Flashcards
4 main overall reasons (sub topics explained in the later cards) why Philip II launched the Spanish Armada?
Religion
Politics
Provocation
Circumstances
Causes of the Spanish Armada: Religion
• Philip lI wanted to get rid of heresy • The papacy had wanted Elizabeth I overthrown since excommunicating her in 1570
• The pope promised to forgive the sins of those taking part in the Armada
(and offered Philip lI a reward if the invasion was successful)
• Spain and the papacy had backed Catholic plots against Elizabeth I.
Causes of the Spanish Armada: Provocation
• Drake’s actions in the New World
• Elizabeth I’s support for Dutch rebels since their rebellion began.
Causes of the Spanish Armada: Politics
• Treaty of Joinville 1584 - secret treaty signed by Philip II of Spain and the French Catholic League which planned to end Protestantism in Europe
• Treaty of Nonsuch 1585 - Elizabeth pledged financial and military support for the Dutch rebels against Philip II
• England would be a useful addition to Philip lI’s empire.
Causes of the Spanish armada: Circumstances
• Spain acquired Portugal in 1580
• Duke of Parma’s success in the Netherlands since 1579
• Elizabeth I’s hesitation indicated England’s weaknesses compared with Spain.
Why did religious differences lead to war?
Spain was a Catholic country and England a Protestant country – meaning that the two rulers had conflicting spiritual outlooks.
Why did Marriage rejection lead to war?
King Philip of Spain had been married to Elizabeth’s sister, Mary I. When Mary died he offered to marry Elizabeth but she rejected him.
Why did Piracy (in the new world) lead to war?
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.
An example of a Sir Francis Drake voyage
Once in the Pacific, Drake successfully plundered Spanish ports and ships along the coastline of Chile and Peru. He also claimed a region of north California in Elizabeth’s name, calling it New Albion. It is estimated that when Drake returned to England in 1580, he brought £400,000 of Spanish treasure with him
Why did the Civil war in France lead to war with Spain?
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.
Why did Spain’s support of Catholic plots against Elizabeth lead to war?
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.
Why did Elizabeth’s army joining the Dutch rebels lead to war with Spain?
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.
Later 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.
Drake’s Attack on Cadiz
In Drake’s attack on cadiz also known as the singeing of the King of Spain’s beard he sailed into Cadiz harbour, Spain’s most important Atlantic port, and over three days destroyed 30 ships as well as a great deal of the fleet’s provisions.
Effect of ‘The singeing of the King of Spain’s beard’ and other attacks on the coast of Portugal
Delayed the Spanish Armada by a year as they were preoccupied with Sir Francis Drake.
