Elizabethan England's Relationship with Spain (Edexcel GCSE History: British Depth Study (Paper 2, Booklet B))

England gained control over Spanish territories.

The disruption of English trade.

The defeat of the English Navy.

An alliance between England and Spain against the Netherlands.

 For his services in defeating the Spanish Armada.

For discovering the Americas.

For his success in privateering against the Spanish.

For his role in the Protestant Reformation.

Spain had a powerful empire whereas England did not have an empire.

Spain had large debts whereas England was very wealthy.

Spain did not have an empire whereas England had a powerful empire in the Americas.

Spain had low income from trading whereas England had good trade links to India.

A pirate was an explorer whereas a privateer was a merchant.

A pirate kept all the treasure that they stole whereas a privateer had to give this to the government.

A pirate leased armed ships for their work whereas a privateer owned their own ships.

A pirate killed the sailors of rival pirates whereas a privateer stole the cargo or ships of rival countries.

In 1573, Elizabeth publicly celebrated Drake’s return to worsen Anglo-Spanish relations.

In 1572, Drake became the first person to circumnavigate the world.

In 1580, Drake returned to England with £400,000 of stolen Spanish treasure.

In 1577, Drake attacked Spanish colonies against Elizabeth’s instructions.

The Pope published the Papal Bull which encouraged all Catholics to overthrow Elizabeth. Spain supported these attempts.

Elizabeth released the Religious Settlement which offended Spain as a Catholic power.

From 1570, Spain severely punished the Dutch Protestants in the Netherlands. Elizabeth wanted to take action against Spain to protect the Dutch Protestants.

Mary, Queen of Scots arrived in England. Her arrest damaged Anglo-Spanish relations as Philip II of Spain believed that she was the rightful Queen of England.

England having a female monarch.

The growth of Protestantism.

The loss of the Pope’s support.

War with the Netherlands.

Help the Dutch rebels indirectly by sending money and mercenaries.

Discourage privateers from attacking Spanish ships and colonies.

Improve England’s relationship with Spain.

Allow English Catholics to worship openly and freely.

Trade increased England’s economic wealth as English merchants traded with different parts of the world.

England wanted more opportunities to trade its main export - cloth. This impacted the Spanish cloth market, worsening Anglo-Spanish relations.

More trade links and colonies would provide England with more political power. This would challenge Spain’s dominance and, as a result, damage their relationship.

Elizabethan explorers made new discoveries in the Americas. Trading these resources with Spain improved Anglo-English relations.

Drake was significant. He stole £400,000 of Spanish treasure. England could afford to protect itself if Spain planned to invade England.

Drake was significant. Spain saw his claim on New Mexico as a threat to their empire. Spain did not want England to claim any more land or trade links in the Americas.

Drake was significant. Drake became the first person to successfully circumnavigate the world. Spain felt challenged as this proved that England was a better seafaring country and had a better navy.

Drake was significant. Knighting Drake, who Philip viewed as nothing but a pirate, signified how bad Anglo-Spanish relations had become.