The English Defeat of The Spanish Armada in The Anglo-spanish War

The English defeat of the Spanish Armada was a major naval conflict during the Anglo-Spanish War. Spain was angered by Elizabeth’s support for Protestant Dutch rebels and raids held on Spanish ships transporting valuable silver. Both sides compromised with allies in a struggle for power. This lead to an extensive battle between the dissenting countries. The defeat weakened Spain’s international power and established the English navy as a powerful force.

August 1580, the tension between Spain and England began to increase. England was provoking Spain by financing revolts held by Protestant Dutch rebels under Catholic Spanish rule. Elizabeth also encouraged her“sea dogs” to raid Spanish ships transporting silver. The countries had conflicting religions and contradicted each other often. Phillip’s primary goal was to restore the Catholic faith in England. Subsequent to Mary Queen of Scots death, the“Enterprise Against England” became official. Some considered the Queen of Scots a more legitimate ruler than Elizabeth; she heavily supported the Catholic faith and was a rallying point for many Catholics who wanted to dethrone Elizabeth and restore Catholicism as the main religion in England.

Following Mary’s prompt execution, many Catholics were outraged, especially King Philip II. All of the conflicts amassed to deepen tension between the divergent countries. January, 1586 the king of Spain had had enough of the torment and Philip arranged for plans to invade England. After many delays, the Spanish Armada finally set sail under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, succeeding the original choice of the Marquis of Santa Cruz. The Marquis had died in Lisbon and the new commander had little naval experience, that would later play in important role in the English navy’s success. The English emerged victorious due to a very significant battle, the Battle of Gravelines. The English navy executed a fireship attack that stopped the Spanish from being able to rendezvous with the Duke of Parma. The larger, slower, Spanish galleons were unable to regroup and scattered. The Spaniards were forced to make a long, harrowing, journey around Scotland to return home.

A finial treaty was signed in London August, 1604.The defeat lessened Spain’s international power. Due to the major loss, Spain was great impacted economically and their international influence was weakened. The Cost of assembling the Armada had been great and the loss had depleted the treasury substantially. Just as the Spanish suffered a tremendous loss, resources from the New World were beginning to decrease. The failed Armada had cost Spain 10 million ducats, way higher than the intended cost of 3.5 million. In addition, Philip II had been spending money incessantly. The Spanish King spent around 12 million ducats a year. Due to the unsuccessful Armada and the continuous spending, Philip had to create a new tax, the millones.

The 1596 tax was estimated to raise eight million ducats over the course of six years. The millones was very detrimental to the lower classes and dramatically increased the cost of living. The Spanish crown was proclaimed bankrupt once again in November of 1596. The Bankruptcy ended Philip’s overseas exploration. Spain’s loss of ports and territory attributable to the war in the Netherlands also contributed to a decline in the economy, losing even more money and valuable land. This demonstrates the negative impact on the economy caused by the defeat of the costly, unsuccessful Armada.England’s triumph over the Armada also weakened Spain’s grip on Europe. One of the goals of the invasion was to control England and restore Catholicism there. Spain was unable to conquer the English navy, and therefore, was also impotent at attempting to convert England.

After the Armada’s loss, people began to see Protestantism as an intrinsic part of Englishness, and not accept it as much. Catholicism began to be referred to as“Popery”, and was correlated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. Many English Catholics were put in unfavorable positions. Numerous Catholics also converted and after Elizabeth’s sovereignty, England was predominantly Protestant. One of the significant reasons the English won was due to the wind blowing the Armada Northwards. Many English people interpreted this as God wanting them to win. Many illustrations and medals were made to commemorate the phrase “God blew and they were scattered.” People claimed God favored Protestants and had assisted them in their triumph over the Armada Española, and would help them again in the future. This exhibits the decrease in Spanish authority, principally over the English.The defeat additionally resulted in the ending of the dominance of the Armada in the Atlantic.

Spain attempted twice more to launch a victorious navy, but was unsuccessful in both endeavors. The first time, the Earl of Essex, led the“Great and Most Fortunate Navy” on a disastrous attempt to retaliate the English Capture of Cadiz. Philip assembled a second attempt in Lisbon, but the Armada wasn’t properly prepared, with continuous delays and lacking food and money, along with possible mutiny among the sailors. Both unsuccessful attempts were thwarted by storms. This shows the decline in the Lastly, the defeat established the English navy as a powerful force that could hold their own against the most acclaimed navy of that time period. England’s victory introduced new naval tactics, inspired nationalism, and enabled the country to establish colonies and companies.

England emerged victorious due to a new tactic introduced during the battle. Spain was used to close range fighting, where they got close enough to board enemy ships with their soldiers. England preferred effective long- range weapons. Spanish ships tended to be slower, with more reliance on the infantry. The English navy had fewer, faster ships with more artillery. The different tactics caused the English to win with their long range ordinance. The Spanish had difficulty boarding the English ships caused by the strong wind blowing them north, therefore were unable to board the infantry and the English could pursue them with their long range weapons. According to, this “end[ed] the era of boarding and close quarter fighting.” The defeat showed that even though the Armada had been successful in the past, new tactics could improve naval warfare. This also demonstrates that the English navy had established themselves as a powerful force. The triumph over the Armada also inspired nationalism.

The defeat made England more confident and they were encouraged to begin exploration in the New World. The exploration and colonization would have a great impact over the next few centuries, eventually leading to the Revolutionary War and the birth of a new nation.The significance of the defeat is great. Spain was unable to invade England and saved the Dutch Republic from eradication. The English had many advantages and were able to pull of a surprising victory over the Invincible Armada.