Why did England go to war with Spain, and why was the Armada defeated?
The deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations to 1588: commercial and political rivalry, English involvement in the Netherlands from 1585, the role of privateers such as Drake, the reasons for the Spanish Armada, and the reasons for its defeat.
A focused answer to the war with Spain in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the causes of the breakdown in Anglo-Spanish relations, English involvement in the Netherlands, privateers such as Drake, the reasons for the Spanish Armada of 1588, and the reasons for its defeat.
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What this dot point is asking
This covers the slide into war with Spain and the Spanish Armada of 1588, the climax of the depth study. You need the causes of the breakdown in Anglo-Spanish relations, English action in the Netherlands, the role of privateers such as Drake, why Philip II launched the Armada, and why it was defeated. The Armada's defeat is a classic 16-mark question on which factor mattered most, so weigh the causes carefully.
Why relations broke down
The Netherlands and privateers
Why Philip launched the Armada
Why the Armada was defeated
Try this
Q1. Why did Philip II launch the Armada? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. To invade England, overthrow Elizabeth, restore Catholicism, and stop English help for the Dutch rebels and English raids on Spanish ships.
Q2. Explain why the Spanish Armada was defeated. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A combination of English naval skill (faster ships, longer-range guns and fireships at Calais), Spanish mistakes (a flawed plan, failure to link with Parma and poor leadership) and severe storms (the Protestant wind) that wrecked the fleet round Scotland and Ireland.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20194 marksDescribe two features of English involvement in the Netherlands in the years 1585 to 1588.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study "Describe two features" question (4 marks). Reward two distinct features with detail.
Feature one. Elizabeth sent an army under the Earl of Leicester in 1585 (the Treaty of Nonsuch) to help the Dutch Protestant rebels against Spanish rule, openly turning against Spain.
Feature two. The campaign was largely unsuccessful but provocative. Leicester's army achieved little militarily, yet English support for the rebels convinced Philip II to prepare the Armada against England.
Full marks. Two features, each with one detail. Two marks per feature.
Edexcel 202216 marksHow far do you agree that English naval skill was the main reason for the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588? Explain your answer. You may use the following in your answer: fireships; the weather. You must also use information of your own.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study 16-mark essay (plus 4 SPaG). Argue both sides and judge, using the prompts plus your own knowledge.
For (English naval skill). Faster, more manoeuvrable English ships with longer-range guns, and the clever use of fireships at Calais to scatter the Spanish fleet, gave England the advantage in battle.
Against (other reasons). Spanish weaknesses (a poor plan, the difficulty of linking up with Parma's army, poor supplies and leadership under Medina Sidonia) and the storms ("the Protestant wind") that wrecked the fleet round Scotland and Ireland were also crucial.
Judgement. A strong answer weighs English skill against Spanish mistakes and the weather, then judges; many argue Spanish errors and the weather were as important as English skill. Write for the SPaG marks.
Related dot points
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- Planning and writing the 16-mark 'How far do you agree' essay across the Edexcel papers, building a balanced, well-supported argument and judgement, and earning the spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History 16-mark essay, explaining how to plan and write a balanced 'How far do you agree' answer with a clear argument and judgement, how to use evidence and stimulus points, and how to earn the SPaG marks.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)