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[[File: Armada 32.jpg|150px390px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Elizabeth IGrevellines]] The defeat and destruction of the Spanish Armada (in 1588 is are seen by many as the high point of Elizabeth I’s of England’s reign. If the Armada had been successful then , it could have changed the course of English and indeed, world history. The defeat of the Armada was to have had profound consequences for England. The first consequence of the English victory was that it secured its independence.  With the defeat of the Armada, England becomes a serious European naval power. Britain's navy was the foundation of the future British Empire. As a result of the failed invasion by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant, and Catholicism became increasingly unpopular and was viewed as anti-English. The English also saw the independence defeat of the Armada as an act of divine providence. It confirmed to them that England was a kingdomdestined for greatness. == Why did Spain send the Spanish Armada to invade England? ==[[File: Armada 3.jpg|150px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II of Spain-mortal enemy of Elizabeth I]]In the sixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. Protestants' regimes dominated northern Europe, and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become an increasing Protestant state in the mid-sixteenth century. Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation, and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religion.’<ref> Duffy, E. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300108281/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300108281&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b06f0eb9358da3a5da4c6146421bcff6 Stripping of the Altars]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref> Queen Elizabeth the First initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain - the preeminent Catholic power in the world. Spain's influence reaches stretched across Europe and into the Americas.

The defeat of Spanish King Phillip II was an ardent Catholic, and he had two primary ambitions. First, he wanted to return all Protestants to the Armada led Catholic faith. Second, he hoped to England becoming a naval expand the growing power and this was to prove important in the foundation of the future British EmpireSpain. As a result The Spanish King had been married to Mary I of the failed invasion, by Catholic Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and, Catholicism became very unpopular and seen as anti-English. The defeat of the Armada was an act of divine providence and it confirmed the opinion of many seemed that England was would fall under Spanish influence for a kingdom destined for greatness and time. However, Elizabeth I's coronation had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined to maintain England's independence from Spain. On the other hand, Spain wanted to play a very important role force the English back into the Catholic fold and end the English pirates' attacks on their ships and colonies in English national identity for many centuriesthe Americas.

===Background===In the sixteenth centuryElizabeth, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. The North of Europe was dominated by Protestantism and the south was mainly Catholic. England I had become a Protestant realm by the mid-sixteenth centuryencouraged English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake, but this was opposed by many Catholicsto mount attacks on Spanish targets. Contrary Elizabeth sought to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before limit Spain's power and secure some of the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called riches ‘of the ‘old religionamerican colonies for her subjects.’<ref> DuffyHolmes, ERichard. <i>[https://www.amazon. Stripping of the Altars com/gp/product/0198662092/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 The Oxford Companion to Military History]</i> (CambridgeOxford, Cambridge Oxford University Press, 2000. 2001), p. 113214</ref> The English Queen Elizabethalso supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly, I initially pursued a moderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestantby the mid-1580s, the two countries were in an undeclared war. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from A war that was to last until the great Catholic power end of the time, Elizabeth’s reign. Spain. It was the dominant Catholic power richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe because , and Phillip decided to invade England. He believed that it would help him secure many of its vast territories in Europe 's strategic objectives if he were successful. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade, and the AmericasPapacy partially funded it.

== How did England defeat the Spanish Armada? ==[[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]The Armada launch had been delayed several times, including once because of a raid by the English on Cadiz. The Spanish King Phillip II Armada was an ardent Catholic a fleet of 130 ships, and he had two ambitions, the it first was to return left the Protestants to port of Coruna in August 1588, under the Catholic faith and to expand Duke of Medina Sidonia, the power of most powerful noble in Spain. <ref> Holmes, p. 215</ref> The Spanish King had been married fleet was ordered to sail to Mary I of England the English Channel and it seemed that for transport a time that large army in Flanders into England would become part of the Spanish dominions. However, the coronation of The invasion aimed to depose Elizabeth I had changed all of this and she was determined to reimpose Catholicism on a policy of independence from Spain. Spain wanted to force the English back into people. The fleet was impressive, and the Catholic fold Spanish were experienced, sailors and to end navigators. However, the attacks of English pirates on their shipping commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced, and colonies in he committed mistake after mistake throughout the Americascampaign.

ElizabethDespite its numerical advantage, I had encouraged the Spanish fleet did not attack the English privateers, such as Sir Francis Drake fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to mount attacks on Calais. The Spanish targetsarmy under the Duke of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. Elizabeth sought to limit However, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the power of Spain Armada with fireships, and to secure some this was the start of what became known as the riches ‘of Battle of Grave lines. The English tactic of using fire-ships created panic among the America colonies for her subjects.’<ref> HolmesSpaniards, Richardand the fleet was broken up into small groups of ships. <i> The Oxford Companion to Military History</i> (Oxfordbattle lasted over a week, Oxford University Presswith both sides launching attacks. 2001)However, pMedina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. 214</ref> The English Queen also supported This decision was decisive as it meant that the Spanish army could not rendezvous with the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip IIinvasion army. Relations between Spain and England began to deteriorate Drake and by the mid-1580s the two countries other English commanders were in an undeclared war, that was happy to last let the rest of Elizabeth’s reignArmada sail away from the invasion force. Spain was A strong wind from the richest and southwest forced the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England, believing that if he was successful it would help him fleet to sail to secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade north and it was partially funded by into the PapacyNorth Sea.

===The How was the Spanish Armada=destroyed? == [[File: Armada 4Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of This ended Spain's attempt to invade England, but it did not end the Armada]]The launch of 's problems. At this point, the Armada had been delayed several timessought only to survive and return to Spain. Unfortunately, including once because of inclement weather and a raid by strong south-western wind meant that the Spanish could not return via the English on CadizChannel. The Spanish Armada was This wind later became known in England as a fleet of 130 ships and it first left the port of Coruna in August 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, the most powerful noble in Spain‘Protestant Wind.’<ref> HolmesMcDermott, pJames. 215<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030010698X/ref> The fleet was ordered to sail to the English Channel and transport a large army in Flanders into =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030010698X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f473dc1cecf6852131ce8bd6e86de229 England. The aim of the invasion was to depose Elizabeth I and to reimpose Catholicism on the English people. The fleet was an impressive one and the Spanish were experiencedArmada: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, sailors and navigators. However2005), the commander Medina-Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced and he was to commit mistake after mistakeP. 215</ref>

The Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage did Command, which could not attack communicate with Madrid, decided to round the British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland, but the English navy continued to harry the Spanish fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calais. The Spanish army under the Duke weather was very unseasonable for that time of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. Howeveryear, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked strong gales and massive storms battered Phillip's fleet. As the Armada with fireshipsmade their way around Scotland, and this was the start of what became known as they began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the Battle west coast of Grave lines. The English tactic of using fire-shipsIreland, created panic among and the Spaniards survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to the fleet was broken up into small groups of shipsEnglish crown.<ref>T. P. Kilfeather. <i>[https://www. The battle was to last over a week with both sides launching attacksamazon. However, Medinacom/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-Sidonia decided to withdraw and this was decisive as it meant that 20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with the invasion armyArmada]</i> (Anvil Books, 1967), p. 167</ref> Drake and By the time that the remnants of the other English commanders were happy Spanish invasion fleet made it to let Spain, over two-thirds of the original Armada sail away from the invasion forcewas lost. Then a strong wind from While the southwest forced Spanish Armada's defeat did not end the fleet to sail undeclared Anglo-Spanish War, which would continue until 1604, it made it difficult for Spain to get the north and into upper hand. Eventually, the North Seaconflict ended in a stalemate.

Medina-Sidonia could regroup his ships and decided to withdraw to == Could Spain and have taken England it had successfully landed its invasion force? ==The Spanish Armada is one of the attempt to invade England was overgreat ‘ifs’ in history. Now If the Armada sought only Spanish ships had been able to survive rendezvous with Flanders' army and return to Spain. The inclement weather and a strong south-western meant that transported it across the Spanish could not return via the English Channel and this wind became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrelmay have been defeated. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215</ref> The Spanish Commandarmy was considered the best in Europe at this time, which could and it was composed not communicate with Madrid decided to round the British Islesonly of Spanish but also German veterans. The Armada sailed around Scotland but all the while was harried by the English fleet. The weather army was very unseasonable for that time mainly composed of years local militias and the fleet of Phillip II was battered by gales poorly led and stormstrained. As the Armada made their way around Scotland the suffered many losses. Many more ships were wrecked on the west coast of Ireland and the survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to the English crown.<ref>T. P. Kilfeather. <i>Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada</i> (Anvil BooksIn a set-piece battle, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the time that the remnants of the Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain over two-thirds of the original Armada had forces would most likely have been lost. The undeclared Anglo-Spanish War did not end with the defeat of the Armada but was to continue until 1604 victorious and ended in a stalematedeposed Elizabeth I on land.

===England’s salvation===The Spanish Armada is one of the great ‘ifs’ in history. If the Spanish ships had been able to rendezvous with the army of Flanders and transported it across the Channel, then it is quite likely that England would have been defeated. The Spanish army was considered to be the best in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish veterans but also German veterans. The English army was mainly composed of local militias and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battle, on land, it seems likely that the Spanish would have overcome the English and deposed Elizabeth I. The kingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish Empire. Phillip II did not plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the throne and they . Philip wanted an ally that would have been the ally and become dependent of the Spanishon Spain. The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and it secured the independence of England and . England's victory allowed her to become a major world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 257</ref>

<dh-ad/> ===The What impact did the defeat of the Spanish Armada and Religion=have on Catholics in England? ==[[File: Armada 2.jpg|390px|thumbnail|left|English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Grevellines]]Phillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If the Armada had been successful , then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the throne. They would have had the power to overturn the Protestant establishment in the country. No longer would the Church of England be by the state church , and once again , the Catholic Church would have been the only recognized religion in the realm.  Phillip II believed that it was right for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdom. It seems most likely that the The new Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much the same way as Mary I had during her reign. With Catholicism re-established, this could have hobbled Protestantism in England.  By the 1580s, the Church of England was supported by most English people, and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic faith. Now while Catholicism Still, England would likely have been made suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to France in the sixteenth century. However, the Armada's failure meant that the Church of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the English people began to see themselves as Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedom. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to as Catholicism, was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years.<ref>Bridgen, Susan. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142001252/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142001252&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=128a402be47987e0bd3742b14adafb3d New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Tudors, 1485–1603]</i>. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref>  On the other hand, English Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England after the Armada's destruction. Catholics, known as ‘recusants,’ refused to recognize the Church of England. They came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion and give up their faith.<ref> Bridgen, p. 234</ref> Even loyal English Catholics became suspect, and as a result, more and Catholics converted to Protestantism.  By the end of Elizabeth's reign, England was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada had played an important role in this would not have seen process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the religious settlement in England, but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. England's people began to see themselves in providential terms and biblical terms as an ‘elect nation.’ <ref>Krishan Kumar. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521777364/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521777364&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=40a0da3a27c0edae7a7be1c813dd2ca4 The Making of English national identity]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 45</ref> The English began to believe that they were chosen by God to carry out his will. This sense of mission was crucial in later decades and was an important factor in the end growth of Protestantism English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. == Did the defeat of the Spanish Armada turn Englandinto a naval power? ==[[File: Armada One.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often been stated that the Armada's defeat ended the Spanish superiority at sea and began England’s rise as a global naval power. This was not the case. The year following the Spanish Armada defeat, the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgen, p. 135</ref>

By the 1580s the Church of England This was a naval attack on Spain was supported by most heavily defeated with substantial English people and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic faithlosses. It seems likely that England would have suffered Madrid changed its strategy, and a series of Religious Wars similar to France fortifications were built in the sixteenth century. However, the failure of the Armada meant Americas that the Church of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the gave greater protection against English people began to see themselves as a Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and important for their freedomother privateers. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic Spain, after the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many years.<ref>Bridgen, Susan. <i>New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule defeat of the Tudors, 1485–1603</i>. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001)Armada, p. 115</ref> It is arguable that remained the main losers in the Armada apart from all those who died in the conflict were English Catholicspremier maritime power outside China.

After However, the Armada, Catholics known as ‘recusants’ because they refused defeat did lead to long-term changes that proved to recognize the Church of be very important in England came under official and unofficial pressure to conform to the state religion<ref> Bridgen, p. 234</ref>. Even loyal Catholics became suspect and 's rise as a result, more and Catholics converted to Protestantismnaval power. By After the end of the reign of Elizabethattempted Spanish invasion, England there was a Protestant nationrecognition that the English needed a strong navy, with only a small and oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to overturn expand the religious settlement in England but his attempted invasion only strengthened itnavy. The people of England began to see themselves in providential terms focused on developing new technologies and in biblical terms as an ‘elect nation’ building ‘modern shipyards.’ <ref> Krishan Kumar. The making of English national identity (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003)Holmes, p. 45217</ref>. They believed that they were chosen by God to carry out his will and this gave them a new-found confidence. This sense of mission was one that was very important in later decades and was an important factor in These changes laid the growth of English groundwork for England's naval power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

===England as a naval power===[[File: Additionally, if the Spanish Armada One.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Sir Francis Drake]]It has often had been stated a success, it is improbable that England would have successfully plant colonies in North America. In the defeat of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority early seventeenth century, English colonies were founded at sea Plymouth Rock and was Jamestown. If the beginning Spanish had placed one of England’s rise as a global naval power. This was not the casetheir candidates on England's throne, this might never have occurred. The year following the Armada's defeat of the Spanish Armada the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgensaw England emerge as, p. 135</ref> This was if not a dominant naval attack on Spain power but it was heavily defeated with great English losses. Madrid changed its strategy an important one, and a series of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateers. The fact remains that Spain after the defeat principal colonizer of the Armada remained the premier maritime power outside ChinaNorth America. HoweverAdditionally, the defeat of the Armada did lead to long-term changes that were to prove very important in the rise of England English trading companies such as a naval power. There was a recognition, after the attempted Spanish invasion that the English needed a strong navy and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand East India Company expanded across the navy and develop new technologies and ‘modern shipyardsglobe.’ <ref>Holmes, p. 217256</ref> As a result, in England's naval capability directly led to the wake of the Armada, the kingdom became an important naval powerBritish Empire's growth and development.

If == Conclusion ==The defeat of the Spanish Armada had been was a success then it seems likely that the major turning point in English would not have been able to successfully plant colonies in North Americahistory. In It saved the early seventeenth century, throne of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English colonies were found at Plymouth Rock and Jamestownindependence from Spain. If The Spanish saw the Spanish had placed invasion as a crusade and one of their candidates on that would stamp out the throne heresy of Protestantism in England then this may never have occurred. The defeat failure of the Armada saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but an important one, invasion meant that had the means to establish colonies Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to trading companies such as Catholicism. Indeed, in the aftermath of the East India Company<ref>HolmesArmada, pProtestantism became part of the national identity. 256</ref>. Its naval capability To be English was in the long-term to directly to lead be a Protestant and to the growth and development of the British Empirereject Catholicism.

===Conclusion===The defeat of the Armada was a major turning point in English history. It saved the throne of Elizabeth I and guaranteed English independence from Spain. The Spanish saw the invasion as a crusade and one that would stamp out the heresy of Protestantism in England. The failure of the invasion meant that Protestantism became more entrenched and less sympathetic to Catholicism. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Armada, Protestantism became part of the national identity. To be English was to be a Protestant and to reject Catholicism. The attempted Spanish invasion led to the adoption of an anti-Catholic discourse, known as Popery , and this was an important factor in English political life for over two centuries. The Armada did not end Spanish maritime supremacy , but it did lead to England becoming a formidable naval power. This allowed it to found colonies and trading companies in the early seventeenth century that were to lay the foundation for the British Empire's foundation.{{Mediawiki:British History}}

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