Background:
* Religious conflict: England was Protestant, while Spain was Catholic. Philip II saw it as his duty to restore Catholicism to England.
* Political tensions: England was supporting the Dutch Revolt against Spain, and English privateers were attacking Spanish ships.
* Mary, Queen of Scots: Philip was married to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was a Catholic claimant to the English throne. Her execution in 1587 further angered Philip.
The Armada:
* The fleet: Philip assembled a powerful fleet of 130 ships, carrying over 20,000 men, with the intention of landing an army in England and deposing Queen Elizabeth I.
* The journey: The Armada sailed from Lisbon in May 1588 and encountered storms that delayed their journey.
* The English response: Queen Elizabeth and her advisor, Sir Francis Drake, had prepared for the invasion, building up their navy and defenses.
* Battle of Gravelines: The first major engagement took place off the coast of Gravelines, France, in July 1588. English ships, smaller and more maneuverable, inflicted heavy damage on the Armada.
* The storm: After the battle, the Armada was driven north by a storm and forced to sail around the north of Scotland.
* The return journey: The Armada was further damaged by storms and attacks from English ships. Only 67 ships returned to Spain.
Consequences:
* Spanish defeat: The Armada's failure was a major setback for Spain and a great victory for England.
* Rise of England: It marked the decline of Spain's maritime power and the rise of England as a major naval power.
* Boost to English morale: The victory bolstered English morale and national identity.
* Impact on European politics: The defeat of the Armada weakened Spain's position in Europe and helped to pave the way for the rise of Protestantism.
Key Figures:
* Philip II of Spain: King of Spain, responsible for launching the Armada.
* Queen Elizabeth I: Queen of England, who led the defense against the Armada.
* Sir Francis Drake: English admiral who played a key role in the victory.
The Spanish Armada is a pivotal event in history, marking a turning point in the power balance in Europe and demonstrating the significance of naval power.