Spanish Armada

Stems from Protestant Reformation

Henry VIII had two daughters◦ Mary [Bloody Mary] (Catholic)◦ Elizabeth (Anglican)

King Phillip II of Spain was married to Mary, Queen of England◦ They were co-monarchs over England

People feared Spain would control England

◦ Returned England back to Catholicism Mary dies, Elizabeth becomes

Queen

Background

Elizabeth makes the Church of England Anglican again◦ Phillip II thinks she is a heretic

Dutch revolt in the Spanish Netherlands◦ Protestants revolting against Catholic Spain◦ Elizabeth supported the revolt

Francis Drake and his “sea-dogs”◦ Pirates looting the treasures of Spanish trade ships coming back

from the New World◦ Elizabeth makes Francis a knight (now Sir Francis Drake)

Elizabeth executes Mary Queen of Scots◦ Mary had promised to give Phillip the English throne if she

became Queen Phillip II plans to have her overthrown

◦ Supported by the Pope; called it a “crusade”

Bad Blood

Spanish for “naval fleet”◦ 130 ships◦ 8,000 sailors◦ 18,000 soldiers

To set sail from Portugal 30,000 Spanish soldiers in the Netherlands

◦ were to be picked up to be taken to lead a land invasion of England Original experienced commander, Santa Cruz, died

◦ Replaced by an wealthy and experienced army general He had never been on a boat before

The Armada

Outnumbered Spanish ships 200-130◦ They were smaller more maneuverable ships

Half of the firepower of Spain◦ Far less cannons

Led by Sir Francis Drake◦ A pirate

English Force

Mostly a testing out period◦ Spain had advantage in close

fighting More powerful cannons Would use grappling hooks to board

the enemy ships and fight hand-to-hand

◦ England kept their distance No ships were destroyed

◦ Besides two Spanish ships that crashed into each other

◦ Drake snuck off at night to loot these two ships Ended up learning that due to space,

Spain could not reload their cannons

1st Battle

The Armada anchored off the coast of the Netherlands to pick up troops

Problems:◦ Troops were not equipped and ready◦ No deep-water port, and no small boats

Nobody could actually pick up the troops

Trouble Picking up the Troops

Armada was anchored at sea in a tight group

England sacrifices eight ships, sets them on fire, and sent them sailing towards the Armada

Few Spanish ships burned◦ But did have to cut anchor

and flee in separate directions

England had now broken up the Armada’s formation

England Takes Advantage

English ships singled off Spanish ships◦ Provoked Spanish fire◦ Then swarm in close and unleash multiple shots

English run out of ammo◦ Start using chains

Only 5 Spanish ships are destroyed

◦ Forced Spain to leave the troops in Netherlandsbehind

Battle of Gravelines

Water and food went bad◦ Stored in bad barrels

Spanish were suffering from thirst and exhaustion

Ships were falling apart◦ Some were kept together by having their hulls

bundled up with cables Only option…head for home

◦ English blocked the channel Spain had to sail the long way around England

The War Drags On…

Gulf Stream blows them further East than intended◦ Makes the trip even longer

Armada gets hit by a storm off the coast of Ireland◦ Ships can’t anchor…◦ At mercy of the gale force winds◦ Many crash into the rocks

More lost due to storms than battle

More Troubles for Spain

Spanish◦ 8,000 dead◦ 63 ships sunk

England◦ 50 to 100 dead◦ 0 ships sunk

In the End

Gave heart and hope to Protestant cause◦ God was behind them◦ Commemorative Medals:

“He blew with His winds, and they were scattered”

England was now a major naval power after defeating the mighty Spanish navy◦ Opened up the Atlantic for other countries to settle

the New World

Significance

Jamestown-1607◦ Poor location, lack of skilled workers and harsh

winters killed many of the original settlers◦ Capture Native princess, Pocahontas

Take her to England where she is a celebrity Gets more people interested in the New World

◦ The growing of tobacco eventually supports the colonies economy No more starving

England’s first Colonies

Plymouth- 1620◦ Puritans fleeing religious persecution

Were in Netherlands but worried about loss of culture◦ Also struggled in the first year

Many die first winter◦ Squanto a native who used to live in England and

knew English walks up on their settlement one day Teaches them how to farm

◦ By fall, the settlers have three storage sheds of extra food Decide to have the natives over for a party

The first Thanksgiving

England’s First Colonies