Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
England & the Spanish Netherlands (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Why did the Netherlands Create a Political & Religious Rivalry Between Spain & England? - Timeline & Summary
The reign of Elizabeth’s half-sister, Mary I, had reduced the royal treasury. Mary’s husband, Philip II of Spain, fought and lost a costly war with France. The conflict between Spain and France did have some benefits. Both countries had different reasons to pursue an alliance with England:
By 1570, it became clear that England could not maintain a positive relationship with Spain. Spain’s treatment of the protestant Dutch worsened. Elizabeth hesitated in supporting the Dutch Protestants. She relied upon money rather than an armed force to fight against Spain. Elizabeth used Spain’s old enemy, France, to fight on her behalf. Overall, Elizabeth’s limited intervention in the Netherlands paved the way for the breakdown of Anglo-Spanish relations. Elizabeth’s government believed her hesitance allowed Spain to strengthen their hold over the Netherlands. Her reluctance to use force also destroyed any trust the Dutch had in England. Philip II believed England wanted to destroy Spain’s power. This meant war between the two nations became increasingly likely. |
What Did Spain Do to the Netherlands in 1567?
Spain was severely punishing the Dutch Protestants
Spain was leading a counter-reformation campaign against Protestantism
Spain saw the Dutch Protestants as a threat to its rule in the Netherlands
The Dutch Revolt in 1566 proved that both Dutch Catholics and Protestants wanted to rid the Netherlands of Spanish control
In 1567, Spain sent the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands to regain control of the region
Alba established the 'Council of Troubles'
The Council condemned many thousands of Protestants to death
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. Spain could declare war against all Protestantism
Elizabeth’s privy council pressured her to protect the Dutch rebels
What Did Elizabeth Do About the Netherlands?
What options did Elizabeth have when dealing with the Netherlands?
Elizabeth and her advisers considered multiple solutions to the ‘problem’ of the Spanish Netherlands
Consequences of Possible Solutions to the Problem of the Spanish Netherlands
Option | Positive consequences | Negative consequences |
|---|---|---|
Raise an army in England and fight the Spanish | Europe would see England as a strong Protestant power. The presence of English soldiers would make the Dutch rebels feel supported | In the 1570s, Spain had a much stronger economy and army than England. If Elizabeth supported rebels attacking an anointed monarch, she may encourage English Catholics to depose her |
Do nothing to help the Dutch rebels | England would protect its own finances and soldiers. Elizabeth could maintain an acceptable relationship with Spain. She would avoid making the Pope angry | Elizabeth would lose the support of her government. English Protestants would feel let down by their monarch. Elizabeth’s reputation as a Protestant monarch would worsen amongst European Protestants |
Send money to the Dutch rebels | The Dutch rebels would have some English support. They could use the money to buy weapons or mercenaries to fight for their cause | Many Protestants in England felt that giving money to the rebels was not enough. Spain had much more wealth than England. Money would not make the Dutch rebels strong enough to win against Spain |
Persuade France to fight against Spain in the Netherlands | France would become the leading power in Europe if they defeated Spain. England would gain a strong ally in France without having to fight Spain | France was a Catholic country. They may object to protecting Protestantism. If France defeated Spain, they could take the Netherlands for their empire |
What option did Elizabeth choose?
Elizabeth chose a non-aggressive strategy to deal with Spain’s control of the Netherlands
England was weaker than Spain
A war with Spain might cause a Civil War between English Catholics and Protestants
She did not want to trigger a war with Spain
She believed that applying the right amount of pressure on Philip would force Spain to withdraw from the Netherlands
Elizabeth’s tactics against Spain included:
Helping the Dutch rebels indirectly by sending money and mercenaries to the Netherlands
Encouraging Privateers to attack Spanish ships and colonies
Improving England’s relationship with France
How did Elizabeth improve England’s relationship with France?
In the 1570s, Elizabeth offered the promise of marriage to the Duke of Alençon
Alençon was the heir to the French throne. A marriage between Elizabeth and Alençon would be a strong union
She believed an alliance with Alençon would worry Philip enough to return the Netherlands to the Dutch
Philip’s worry about an Anglo-French union increased when Elizabeth encouraged Alençon to fight the Spanish in the Netherlands
Elizabeth knew her strategy was risky
She had no intention of marrying Alençon. If Alençon discovered this, it could turn France into an enemy
If France was too successful in the Netherlands, they would encompass the Netherlands into their empire
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For the exam, you need to remember that Elizabeth’s strategy in the Netherlands in the early 1570s relied upon her personal and political charm. Elizabeth regularly used the promise of marriage as a bargaining tool with European leaders. If she could encourage Alençon to fight in the Netherlands on her behalf, she could avoid the monetary and human cost of a war with Spain. Her strategy relied upon Spain and France continuing their hatred towards each other and Alençon’s desire to marry Elizabeth. If these situations changed, Elizabeth could upset the two biggest powers in 16th-century Europe
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