The Spanish Armada Topic 6

Question 1

Philip’s ambition to invade

Answer 1

Believed god was on his side and wanted to reinstate Catholicism, Elizabeth rejected his proposal, ensure Spain remained the largest strongest empire in Europe.

Question 2

Philips invasion plan

Answer 2

Set sail from Lisbon into the English Channel, destroying the English fleet
Anchor the Spanish fleet along Calais
17,000 soldiers arrive from the Netherlands and gather in Dunkirk to be led by Parma
Armada would protect Parma’s soldiers up the channel
Land in Kent and travel up Thames to overthrow Elizabeth

Question 3

Armada resources

Answer 3

130 big ships
1,900 cannons and small guns
19,000 well trained soldiers

Question 4

Why did the armada fail?

Answer 4

English had smaller faster ships
Duke Medina Sidonia unexperienced
Crescent formation destroyed after Calais attack
Storm attacked Spanish ships

Question 5

Events in the Netherlands

Answer 5

Philip wanted revenge for Elizabeth’s support of Protestant rebels
Elizabeth signed the treaty of Nonsuch and agreed to fund Dutch Protestants fighting Duke of Parma
Sent force of 5000 troops to support the rebels

Question 6

English privateers in the Spanish Main

Answer 6

Elizabeth encouraged privateers to attack Spanish ships containing gold silver and jewels
Francis Drake attacked ships and returned with estimated £200 million in todays money
Philip ordered his execution, Elizabeth knighted him in 1581

Question 7

Problems with Philips plan

Answer 7

Drake attacked Spanish fleet in Cadiz
Destroyed 37 ships
Delayed attack by a year
Netherlands did not have deep enough harbours
Duke of Medina Sidonia was sea sick
Ran into storm

Question 8

Threat of Armada

Answer 8

English land forces were weak
Parma’s army was the best in Europe
Spanish fleet was bigger
Warning beacons set up along the coast
Elizabeth gave an inspirational speech to soldiers

Question 9

Calais and fire ships

Answer 9

Drake took 8 unarmed ships and filled them with tar and gunpowder and set them alight
Drifted into the Spanish fleet in Calais, broke crescent formation

Question 10

Battle of grave lines

Answer 10

English attacked scattered armada at Dunkirk
Plan with Parma’s army now ruined
Change in wind forced armada to sail north

Question 11

Pursuing Armada north

Answer 11

Armada had to sail around coast of Scotland and Ireland
Lacking sea charts they sailed into a severe storm
Only 67 ships made it back to Spain

Question 12

Results of armada

Answer 12

War with Spain dragged on for a decade
English continued Dutch support
English sea dogs continued to attack Spanish ships