War with Spain:
Key Terms
• Religious differences
• Marriage proposal
• Civil War in France
• Trade & Piracy
• The Netherlands
Religious differences:
The Religious Settlement (1559) where Elizabeth tried to establish
a middle ground between Protestantism and Catholicism.
However, King Philip II of Spain was a strong Catholic and hated
Protestantism. He also disliked the penalties given to Catholics in
the 1570s.
In 1571, the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth, but Philip did
nothing. In fact, it took him 25 years to do any direct action
because he did not like MQOS due to her French ties.
Marriage proposal:
When Mary I died, Philip asked Elizabeth to marry him. She
declined in 1559. This meant he could not keep England
Catholic.
Civil War in France:
France was the traditional enemy of England and Spain.
However, Philip never risked an attack on France in fear of
France and England teaming up against him. Then in 1562-1598,
there is a Civil War between Catholics and Protestants in France.
This meant that France was no longer a threat, and Spain
was more powerful. Philip could now attack without French
interference.
Trade and Piracy:
Spain did not let other countries trade with their New World
colonies: Mexico, Peru, Chile, Caribbean. This caused trouble
when English sailors traded with Spanish settlers illegally. The
English sailors also started attacking Spanish treasure ships. This
piracy made lots of money for England. Elizabeth unofficially
, supported these voyages in return for riches. This angered the
Spanish.
Francis Drake was regarded as the most notorious English pirate.
In 1572, he stole silver worth 20,000 (£30 million nowadays). In
1579, he stole 140,000 worth of cargo. This all took place years
before the 1585 war however.
The Netherlands:
Philip controlled Dutch territory. In 1572, Protestants rebelled
against his control. William of Orange was one of the leaders who
wanted the Netherlands to have freedom of belief.
Elizabeth sent money and weapons to William and the rebels. In
1578, Philip sent an army (led by the Duke of Parma) to the
Netherlands to restore control. They taxed the Dutch heavily.
William of Orange asked the French Duke of Anjou for help.
However, he quickly became unpopular and had to leave in
1583.
In 1584, William of Orange was assassinated. It looked like the
Protestant rebels would now fail. Thus, in 1585 – Elizabeth signed
the Treaty of Nonsuch – and sent 7000 soldiers to help the
Protestant rebels. Robert Dudley led the army. He argued with
the Dutch rebels, however they did slow down the Spanish army’s
progress.
This direct military involvement of Elizabeth angered Spain. It
looked like England was trying to lay claim on the Netherlands.
Philip then made plans to invade England…
Spanish Armada (1588)
The greatest challenge to Elizabeth was first sighted in the English
Channel on 29 July 1588. This was the Spanish Armada, a fleet of
armed ships sailing towards England in a crescent formation.
Partly because of religious differences, and partly because of
English interference in Spanish affairs in the New World and the
Netherlands, King Philip of Spain decided to invade England and
attempt to overthrow Elizabeth.
Key Terms
• Religious differences
• Marriage proposal
• Civil War in France
• Trade & Piracy
• The Netherlands
Religious differences:
The Religious Settlement (1559) where Elizabeth tried to establish
a middle ground between Protestantism and Catholicism.
However, King Philip II of Spain was a strong Catholic and hated
Protestantism. He also disliked the penalties given to Catholics in
the 1570s.
In 1571, the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth, but Philip did
nothing. In fact, it took him 25 years to do any direct action
because he did not like MQOS due to her French ties.
Marriage proposal:
When Mary I died, Philip asked Elizabeth to marry him. She
declined in 1559. This meant he could not keep England
Catholic.
Civil War in France:
France was the traditional enemy of England and Spain.
However, Philip never risked an attack on France in fear of
France and England teaming up against him. Then in 1562-1598,
there is a Civil War between Catholics and Protestants in France.
This meant that France was no longer a threat, and Spain
was more powerful. Philip could now attack without French
interference.
Trade and Piracy:
Spain did not let other countries trade with their New World
colonies: Mexico, Peru, Chile, Caribbean. This caused trouble
when English sailors traded with Spanish settlers illegally. The
English sailors also started attacking Spanish treasure ships. This
piracy made lots of money for England. Elizabeth unofficially
, supported these voyages in return for riches. This angered the
Spanish.
Francis Drake was regarded as the most notorious English pirate.
In 1572, he stole silver worth 20,000 (£30 million nowadays). In
1579, he stole 140,000 worth of cargo. This all took place years
before the 1585 war however.
The Netherlands:
Philip controlled Dutch territory. In 1572, Protestants rebelled
against his control. William of Orange was one of the leaders who
wanted the Netherlands to have freedom of belief.
Elizabeth sent money and weapons to William and the rebels. In
1578, Philip sent an army (led by the Duke of Parma) to the
Netherlands to restore control. They taxed the Dutch heavily.
William of Orange asked the French Duke of Anjou for help.
However, he quickly became unpopular and had to leave in
1583.
In 1584, William of Orange was assassinated. It looked like the
Protestant rebels would now fail. Thus, in 1585 – Elizabeth signed
the Treaty of Nonsuch – and sent 7000 soldiers to help the
Protestant rebels. Robert Dudley led the army. He argued with
the Dutch rebels, however they did slow down the Spanish army’s
progress.
This direct military involvement of Elizabeth angered Spain. It
looked like England was trying to lay claim on the Netherlands.
Philip then made plans to invade England…
Spanish Armada (1588)
The greatest challenge to Elizabeth was first sighted in the English
Channel on 29 July 1588. This was the Spanish Armada, a fleet of
armed ships sailing towards England in a crescent formation.
Partly because of religious differences, and partly because of
English interference in Spanish affairs in the New World and the
Netherlands, King Philip of Spain decided to invade England and
attempt to overthrow Elizabeth.
