the spanish armada

Answer: Two reasons: (1) Religion - Philip was a devout Catholic who wanted to overthrow Elizabeth's Protestant settlement and restore Catholicism in England; (2) English support for the Dutch rebels - Elizabeth sent money and troops to help the Dutch Protestants fighting against Spanish rule in the Netherlands, which was a direct threat to Spanish power. Other reasons include Drake's raids on Spanish ships and Mary's execution.

Answer: Two reasons: (1) Religion - Philip was a devout Catholic who wanted to overthrow Elizabeth's Protestant settlement and restore Catholicism in England; (2) English support for the Dutch rebels - Elizabeth sent money and troops to help the Dutch Protestants fighting against Spanish rule in the Netherlands, which was a direct threat to Spanish power. Other reasons include Drake's raids on Spanish ships and Mary's execution.

Answer: Key events: 19 July - Armada spotted off the Lizard, beacons lit; 21 July - English fleet engaged the Armada in the Channel, using longer-range guns; 27 July - Armada anchored at Calais to wait for Parma's army; 28 July - English sent fire ships into the anchored Spanish fleet, causing panic and scattering the formation; 29 July - Battle of Gravelines, the English attacked the scattered Spanish ships, destroying five and damaging many more; the wind drove the Armada north-east.

Answer: The fire ships were a turning point because they broke the Armada's tight defensive crescent formation, which had protected the fleet during the Channel battles. When the Spanish panicked and cut their anchor cables, they scattered and could not regroup. This made the Armada vulnerable to the English attack at the Battle of Gravelines the next day. Without the fire ships, the Armada might have maintained its formation and successfully linked up with Parma's army.

Answer: A balanced answer should discuss: the weather (the "Protestant Wind" scattered the fleet and caused devastating losses on the return voyage - more ships were lost to storms than to English guns); better English ships and tactics (faster, more manoeuvrable, longer-range guns, stand-off tactics); better commanders (Howard, Drake, Hawkins vs the inexperienced Medina Sidonia); Spanish strategic errors (poor coordination with Parma). Argue that the weather was important but the English tactical advantages were equally or more significant.

Answer: A balanced answer should discuss: the Armada (it saved England from invasion, boosted Elizabeth's prestige, and established English naval power); other important events such as the Religious Settlement 1559 (provided 45 years of stability), the execution of Mary Queen of Scots (removed the Catholic figurehead), the defeat of the Catholic plots, the exploration and cultural achievements. Argue either that the Armada was the defining moment of the reign or that the Religious Settlement was more important because it had longer-lasting consequences.

Answer: Weaknesses of Philip's plan: it required the Armada to meet Parma's army at a specific time and place, which was impossible without modern communications; Parma's troops were blockaded in port by Dutch ships and could not join the Armada; the Spanish commander Medina Sidonia had no naval experience; many Spanish ships were armed merchant vessels, not purpose-built warships; the Spanish were designed for boarding actions but the English used long-range gunnery; there was no fallback plan if the rendezvous failed.