The Armada

• Why did Phillip II launch the Armada?

  • religion
  • provocation
  • politics
  • circumstances
• religion:

  • Phillip II wanted to get rid of heresy
  • papacy had wanted Elizabeth I overthrown since her excommunication in 1570
  • Pope promised to forgive sins of those taking part in Armada
  • Spain and papacy backed Catholic plots against Elizabeth I
• politics:

  • Treaty of Joinville 1584 meant that Spain culd attack England without risking war with France
  • Treaty of Nonsuch 1585 meant English soldiers were at war with Spain, so Philip had reason to attack Enlgand
  • England would be useful addition to Phillip's empire as it would allow them control of the Atlantic
• provocation:

  • Drake's action in New World threatened Spain's commercial interests
  • Elizabeth's support for Dutch rebels since their rebellion challenged Spain's interests in the Netherlands
• circumstances:

  • Spanish empire gained Portugal in 1580 which gave him access to Portuguese ports and ships
  • Duke of Parma's success in Netherlands since 1579 meant Spain's position there was secure
  • Elizabeth had hesitation to fully back Dutch rebels which highlighted English weakness compared to Spain
• • Phillip ordered 130 ships and 2431 guns to form the Armada
  • they woud sail to the Netherlands and join with Spanish troops under the Duke of Parma
  • 27,000 troops would then travel to Kent, and would attack London
  • Elizabeth's reign would be ended and a Catholic government would be imposed
• why did the English win the Armada?

  • communicaton problems
  • English ship designs
  • weather
  • English tactics
  • Spanish supplies
• communication problems:

  • there was no communication between the Duke of Parma and Duke of Medina Sidonia
  • communiaction was unreliable as it had to go buy sea
  • there were no deep water ports, so, Duke of Parma had to use smaller ships
  • Spanish Armada could not stop at any ports in Spanish Netherlands, but had to meet with Parma at sea
• English ship designs:

  • English warships were made fast and easily manoeuverable to turn to enemy and fire guns at quicker
  • cannons mounted on smaller gun carriages so, reloaded faster and fired faster
  • galleons were new ships that were faster and easier to move
• weather:

  • strong winds caused destruction to Spanish ships as they went home
  • many Spanish ships destroyed off west of Ireland
• English tactics:

  • English got close enough to Spanish ships to fire but were far enough to prevent Spanish soldiers from boarding
  • this meant Engliah losses were minimal
  • cannon balls were saved for decisive battle
  • many Spanish ships damages and ruined chances of Spanish ships meaning with Duke of Parma
• Spanish supplies:

  • food were stored in barrels with inferior wood
  • this was because Drake's raid on Cadiz meant Spanish needed to make new barrels quickly
  • food supplies rotted quickly
  • damaged Spanish morale and ability to fight English
• Battle of Gravelines:

  • English sent fireships into Spanish fleet
  • caused Spanish to panic and scattered formation of Armada
  • Armada regrouped at Battle of Gravelines
  • Spanish fleet never meets with Duke of Parma and Armada is defeated
• timeline:

  • July - Armada spotted in English Channel, Battle of Plymouth that captured two Spanish ships
  • early August - Battle of Isle of Wight, Spanish ships outgunned and move up toward Calais
  • 8 August - Battle of Gravelines
• consequences of English victory for England:

  • showed strength of English navy - boosted English confidence to explore and so encouraged trade with Europe
  • Anglo Dutch alliance strengthened
  • Protestanism in Netherlands survived, strengthing Protestant cause in Europe
  • gave England Protestant allies in Europe
  • Protestantism became stronger in England
  • Elizabeth was seen as military victor
• consequences of English victory for Spain:

  • major militarial and financial set back for Spain
  • Spanish prestige broken
  • other countries more willing to challenge Spanish power
  • led to gradual decline of Spanish Empire
  • however, Spain continued war with England until end of Elizabeth's reign