Conflict with Spain (AQA GCSE History)

How did the War in the Netherlands contribute towards the Spanish Armada? - Summary

The war in the Netherlands played a crucial role in the launch of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth I's support for the Protestant Dutch rebels fighting for independence from Spanish rule angered King Philip II of Spain, a loyal Catholic. By providing the rebels with money and troops, Elizabeth directly challenged Philip's authority.

This war increased tensions between England and Spain. Philip saw Elizabeth's actions as a threat to his control and Catholicism in Europe. Therefore, Philip’s decision to invade England, remove Elizabeth from power and restore Catholicism. This decision led to the launch of the Spanish Armada in 1588. 

Why were relations between England and Spain poor?

• Before Elizabeth I became queen Spain and England had an ever-changing relationship 

  • Henry VIII married a Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon

    • Henry divorced Catherine and married Elizabeth I’s mother, Anne Boleyn 

  • Mary I married King Philip II of Spain 

• However, Elizabeth I relationship with Spain was poor 

  • Elizabeth refused King Philip’s proposal 

  • Under Elizabeth’s rule, England was Protestant 

    • Phillip was a devoted Catholic who had a close relationship with the pope 

  • In 1570, the papal bull asked all Catholics to challenge Elizabeth 

  • Sir Francis Drake spent years raiding Spanish ports and stealing from the Spanish

    • This was left unpunished by Elizabeth which angered Spain

• However, relations between England and Spain became worse after 1585 when Elizabeth supported Dutch Protestant rebels 

War in the Netherlands 

• King Philip II of Spain also ruled the Netherlands 

• In 1566 there was a series of Protestant uprisings in the Netherlands over taxes 

• However, these uprisings soon became focused on religion 

• King Philip responded to these uprisings by sending troops to the Netherlands

  • The Dutch rebels responded by showing more resistance 

• The events in the Netherlands alarmed many English Protestants

  • If Spain treated Protestants in this manner, English Protestants worried about what could happen to them. They still lived in fear of the actions towards Protestants by Mary I during her reign 

  • Spain could declare war against all Protestantism

  • Elizabeth’s Privy Council pressured her to protect the Dutch rebels

How did the Netherlands create conflict between England and Spain? 

• Elizabeth’s actions in the Netherlands created additional conflict between England and Spain 

• Initially, Elizabeth responded to King Philip’s actions in the Netherlands by: 

  • Agreeing to send money to the Protestant rebels

    • Approximately £60,000 was sent by Elizabeth 

  • Offering protection to rebel ships in English ports

  • This angered King Philip II of Spain 

• In 1584, the leader of the Protestant rebels, William of Orange, was assassinated 

  • Elizabeth was asked to be the Queen of the Dutch. Elizabeth declined this offer 

• In 1585, Elizabeth sent troops to the Netherlands

  • Robert Dudley and 7,000 soldiers were sent to the Netherlands 

    • This was a declaration of war against Spain 

• By 1609, the Dutch Protestants defeated the Catholics and controlled the Netherlands