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Spanish Armada Causes

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Spanish Armada Causes

Read the briefing, then investigate why Spain sent the Armada towards England in 1588. Use evidence from the briefing to support your answers.

Historical briefing: why relations broke down

In the 1580s, England and Spain were rivals. Spain was a Catholic kingdom ruled by Philip. England, ruled by Queen Elizabeth I, was officially Protestant. Philip wanted Catholicism restored in England, while Elizabeth wanted to protect her rule and England’s independence. Spain was also fighting Dutch rebels who wanted to break away from Spanish rule. Elizabeth sent help to the Dutch. English sailors also attacked Spanish ships carrying valuable goods from the Americas. Spain saw these attacks as theft; some English people saw them as a way to weaken Spain and gain wealth. In 1587, Elizabeth approved the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic with a claim to the English throne. Philip believed this made the situation even more serious. In 1588, he sent the Spanish Armada towards England. Its arrival was part of a plan to help invade England and change its government and religion.

Spot the causes

Use the briefing to answer each question. More than one factor contributed to the conflict.

1.Which pair of countries had different official religions in the 1580s?

Catholic Spain and Protestant England
Protestant Spain and Catholic England
Catholic Spain and Catholic England
Protestant Spain and Protestant England

2.What did Philip want restored in England?

3.What did the Dutch rebels want, and which side did Elizabeth support?

4.Why did attacks by English sailors increase tension with Spain?

5.Which event in 1587 added to Philip II’s concerns about England?

Elizabeth approved the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
Philip became Queen of England
The Dutch rebels surrendered to England
The Armada reached England

Build the sequence

Put these events in chronological order by writing 1 for the earliest and 4 for the latest.

Elizabeth sends help to Dutch rebels (1585).

Elizabeth approves the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1587).

The Spanish Armada sails towards England (1588).

Elizabeth becomes queen of England (1558).

6.What was Philip II’s aim in sending the Armada towards England?

7.True or false: The conflict had only one cause, and it was religion.

TrueFalse

8.A Spanish adviser says, “England is helping our Dutch rebels and allowing attacks on our ships.” Which two causes of conflict does this statement refer to?

9.Choose one cause from the briefing. Explain how it could have made Philip II more likely to send the Armada.