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[[File: Armada 32.jpg|150px390px|thumbnail|left|King Phillip II English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at the Battle of Spain-mortal enemy 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, it could have changed the course of English and world history. The defeat of the Armada 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 defeat of the Armada as an act of divine providence. It confirmed to them that England was a kingdom destined for greatness.

With defeat == 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 Armadasixteenth century, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groups. Protestants' regimes dominated northern Europe, and the south was mainly Catholic. England had become a serious European naval poweran increasing Protestant state in the mid-sixteenth century. Britain's navy was Contrary to popular belief, Catholicism had been popular in England before the Reformation, and many people still sympathized with what they called the foundation ‘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 future British EmpireAltars]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 113</ref> As Queen Elizabeth the First initially pursued a result of the failed invasionmoderate religious policy to minimize religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant. However, by Catholic Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain, England became more self-consciously Protestant and Catholicism became increasingly unpopular and was viewed as anti-English. The English also saw the defeat of preeminent Catholic power in the Armada as an act of divine providenceworld. It confirmed to them that England was a kingdom destined for greatnessSpain's influence reaches stretched across Europe and into the Americas.

====Background==How did England defeat the Spanish Armada? ==In [[File: Armada 4.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the sixteenth centuryArmada]]The Armada launch had been delayed several times, Europe was divided into two mutually hostile religious groupsincluding once because of a raid by the English on Cadiz. The Northern Europe Spanish Armada was dominated by Protestants regimes a fleet of 130 ships, and it first left the south was mainly Catholic. England had become an increasing Protestant state by port of Coruna in August 1588, under the mid-sixteenth century. Contrary to popular beliefDuke of Medina Sidonia, Catholicism had been popular the most powerful noble in England before the Reformation and many people still sympathized with what they called the ‘old religionSpain.’<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)Holmes, p. 113215</ref> Queen Elizabeth The fleet was ordered to sail to the First initially pursued English Channel and transport a moderate religious policy large army in Flanders into England. The invasion aimed to minimize religious conflict between Catholic depose Elizabeth I and Protestantto reimpose Catholicism on the English people. The fleet was impressive, and the Spanish were experienced, sailors and navigators. However, Elizabeth soon found herself under pressure from Spain the commander Medina- the preeminent Catholic power in the world at that time. Spain's influence reach stretched across Europe Sidonia was old and relatively inexperienced, and into he committed mistake after mistake throughout the Americascampaign.

Despite its numerical advantage, the Spanish fleet did not attack the English fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calais. The Spanish King Phillip II army under the Duke of Parma was an ardent Catholic advancing to Calais to be transported to England. However, the English navy under Drake and he had two primary ambitions. FirstHoward attacked the Armada with fireships, he wanted to return all Protestants back to and this was the start of what became known as the Catholic faithBattle of Grave lines. Second The English tactic of using fire-ships created panic among the Spaniards, he hoped to to expand and the growing power fleet was broken up into small groups of Spainships. The Spanish King had been married battle lasted over a week, with both sides launching attacks. However, Medina-Sidonia decided to Mary I of England and withdraw. This decision was decisive as it seemed meant that for a time that England would fall under the Spanish influencearmy could not rendezvous with the invasion army. However, Drake and the coronation of Elizabeth I had fundamentally altered this dynamic because she was determined other English commanders were happy to maintain England's independence let the Armada sail away from Spain. Spain, on the hand, wanted to invasion force . A strong wind from the English back into southwest forced the Catholic fold and end fleet to sail to the attacks of English pirates on their ships north and colonies in into the AmericasNorth Sea.

Elizabeth== How was the Spanish Armada destroyed? ==Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain. This ended Spain's attempt to invade England, I had encouraged English privateersbut it did not end the Armada's problems. At this point, such as Sir Francis Drake the Armada sought only to mount attacks on Spanish targets. Elizabeth sought survive and return to limit the power of Spain . Unfortunately, inclement weather and to secure some of a strong south-western wind meant that the riches ‘of Spanish could not return via the America colonies for her subjectsEnglish Channel. This wind later became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref> HolmesMcDermott, RichardJames. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198662092030010698X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198662092030010698X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=94311aba3c2131eec83402c57e9f3338 f473dc1cecf6852131ce8bd6e86de229 England and the Spanish Armada: The Oxford Companion to Military HistoryNecessary Quarrel]</i> . (OxfordNew Haven, Oxford CT: Yale University Press. 2001, 2005), pP. 214215</ref> The English Queen also supported the Dutch in their revolt against Phillip II. Relations between Spain and England deteriorated rapidly and by the mid-1580s the two countries were in an undeclared war. A war that was to last until the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Spain was the richest and the most powerful Empire in Europe and Phillip decided that he would invade England. He believed that if he was successful it would help him to secure many of his strategic objectives in Europe. The Spanish presented the Armada as a Catholic crusade and it was partially funded by the Papacy.

====The Spanish Armada====[[File: Armada 4Command, which could not communicate with Madrid, decided to round the British Isles.jpg|350px|thumbnail|left| A contemporary painting of the Armada]]The launch of the Armada had been delayed several timessailed around Scotland, including once because of a raid by but the English on Cadiznavy continued to harry the Spanish fleet. The Spanish Armada weather was a fleet very unseasonable for that time of 130 ships year, and strong gales and it first left massive storms battered Phillip's fleet. As the port of Coruna in August 1588Armada made their way around Scotland, under they began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked on the command west coast of Ireland, and the Duke of Medina Sidonia, survivors were hunted down and killed by natives loyal to the most powerful noble in SpainEnglish crown.<ref>T. P. Kilfeather.<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of the Spanish Armada]</i> Holmes(Anvil Books, 1967), p. 215167</ref> The By the time that the remnants of the Spanish invasion fleet made it to Spain, over two-thirds of the original Armada was ordered to sail lost. While the Spanish Armada's defeat did not end the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War, which would continue until 1604, it made it difficult for Spain to get the upper hand. Eventually, the English Channel and transport conflict ended in a large army in Flanders into stalemate. == Could Spain have taken England. it had successfully landed its invasion force? ==The aim Spanish Armada is one of the invasion was great ‘ifs’ in history. If the Spanish ships had been able to depose Elizabeth I rendezvous with Flanders' army and to reimpose Catholicism on transported it across the English peopleChannel, England may have been defeated. The fleet Spanish army was an impressive and considered the Spanish were experiencedbest in Europe at this time, sailors and navigatorsit was composed not only of Spanish but also German veterans. However, the commander Medina-Sidonia The English army was old mainly composed of local militias and relatively inexperienced was poorly led and he committed mistake after mistake throughout trained. In a set-piece battle, the campaignSpanish forces would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth I on land.

The kingdom of England would have become part of the Spanish fleet despite its numerical advantage Empire. Phillip II did not attack plan to rule it directly but planned to place a Catholic on the English fleet based at Portsmouth and instead sailed to Calaisthrone. Philip wanted an ally that would become dependent on Spain. The Spanish army under the Duke defeat of Parma was advancing to Calais to be transported to England. However, the English navy under Drake and Howard attacked the Armada with fireships, and prevented this was the start of what became known as the Battle of Grave lines. The English tactic of using fire-ships, created panic among the Spaniards from happening and secured the fleet was broken up into small groups independence of shipsEngland. The battle lasted over England's victory allowed her to become a week with both sides launching attacksmajor world power by the eighteenth century. However<ref> Holmes, Medina-Sidonia decided to withdraw. This decision was decisive as it meant that the Spanish army was unable to rendezvous with the invasion army. Drake and the other English commanders were happy to let the Armada sail away from the invasion force. Then a strong wind from the southwest forced the fleet to sail to the north and into the North Seap. 257</ref>

Medina-Sidonia tried to regroup his ships and withdraw to Spain. This ended Spain's attempt to invade England was over, but it did not end the Armada's problems. At this point, the Armada sought only to survive and return to Spain. Unfortunately, inclement weather and a strong south-western wind meant that the Spanish could not return via the English Channel. This wind later became known in England as a ‘Protestant Wind.’<ref>McDermott, James. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030010698X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030010698X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cdh-20&linkId=f473dc1cecf6852131ce8bd6e86de229 England and the Spanish Armada: The Necessary Quarrel]</i>. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005), P. 215<ad/ref>

The Spanish Command, which could not communicate with Madrid decided to round == What impact did the British Isles. The Armada sailed around Scotland but the English navy continued to harry defeat of the Spanish fleet. The weather was very unseasonable for that time of year and the Phillip's fleet was battered by strong gales and massive storms. As the Armada made their way around Scotland they began to lose ships. Many more ships were wrecked have 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>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013K2KD6/ref=as_li_tlCatholics in England?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013K2KD6&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a486270d446af7bb1840eb37dd11d649 Ireland: Graveyard of Phillip II wanted to return England to Catholicism. If the Spanish Armada]</i> (Anvil Bookshad been successful, 1967), p. 167</ref> By the time then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the remnants of throne. They would have had the Spanish invasion fleet made it power to Spain over two-thirds of overturn the Protestant establishment in the original Armada was lostcountry. While No longer would the defeat Church of England by the Spanish Aramade did not end state church, and once again, the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War which Catholic Church would continue until 1604, it made if difficult for Spain to to get have been the upper hand. Eventually, the conflict ended in a stalemateonly recognized religion.

====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 transport Phillip II believed that it across the Channel, then England may have been defeated. The Spanish army was considered right for a monarch to be the best ensure religious conformity in Europe at this time and it was composed not only of Spanish but German veteranstheir kingdom. The English army was mainly composed of local militias and was poorly led and trained. In a set piece battle, on land, the Spanish forces new Catholic monarch probably would most likely have been victorious and deposed Elizabeth persecuted Protestants in much the same way as Mary Ihad during her reign. The kingdom of England would With Catholicism re-established, this could 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. Philip wanted an ally that would become dependent on Spain. The defeat of the Armada prevented this from happening and secured the independence of hobbled Protestantism in England. England's victory allowed her to become a major world power by the eighteenth century.<ref> Holmes, p. 257</ref>

====The Armada and Religion====[[File: Armada 2.jpg|390px|thumbnail|left|English fireships attacking Spanish vessels at By the 1580s, the Battle Church of Grevellines]]Phillip II wanted to return England was supported by most English people, and they would have resisted any attempt to Catholicism. If reimpose the Armada had been successful then it seems likely that a Catholic king or queen would have been placed on the thronefaith. They Still, England would likely have had the power suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to overturn the Protestant establishment France in the countrysixteenth century. No longer would However, the Armada's failure meant that the Church of England be was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the state church English people began to see themselves as Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness and once again the important for their freedom. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic Church would have been after the only recognized religionArmada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to as Catholicism, was associated with autocracy, intolerance, and slavery. Phillip II believed that it This anti-Catholicism was right an important aspect of English political life for a monarch to ensure religious conformity in their kingdommany 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 new Catholic monarch probably would have persecuted Protestants in much Rule of the same way as Mary I had during her reignTudors, 1485–1603]</i>. With Catholicism reestablished this could have hobbled Protestantism in EnglandNew York, NY: Viking Penguin, 2001), p. 115</ref>

By On the 1580sother hand, the Church of England was supported by most English people and they would have resisted any attempt to reimpose the Catholic faith. Still it is likely that Catholics faced an increasingly difficult life in England would have suffered a series of Religious Wars similar to France in after the sixteenth centuryArmada's destruction. HoweverCatholics, the failure of the Armada meant that known as ‘recusants,’ refused to recognize the Church of England was now more secure than ever before. Increasingly, the English people began to see themselves as a Protestant people. They saw Protestantism as an integral part of Englishness came under official and important for their freedom. Many English people became even more anti-Catholic after unofficial pressure to conform to the Armada. ‘Popery’ as they referred to Catholicism was associated with autocracy, intolerance, state religion and slavery. This anti-Catholicism was an important aspect of English political life for many yearsgive up their faith.<ref>Bridgen, Susanp. 234<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 YorkEven loyal English Catholics became suspect, NY: Viking Penguinand as a result, 2001), pmore and Catholics converted to Protestantism. 115</ref>

On the 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 the Elizabeth's reign of Elizabeth, England was a Protestant nation, with only a small oppressed Catholic minority. The Armada had played an important role in this process. Phillip II had attempted to overturn the religious settlement in England , but his attempted invasion only strengthened it. The England's people of England began to see themselves in providential terms and in 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 one that was very important crucial in later decades and was an important factor in the growth of English power, especially in the seventeenth and eighteenth centurycenturies.

====Did the defeat of the Spanish Armada turn England as into a naval power==? ==

It has often been stated that the Armada's defeat of the Armada ended the Spanish superiority at sea and begun began England’s rise as a global naval power. This was not the case. The year following the defeat of the Spanish Armada defeat, the English monarch launched the ‘English Armada.’<ref>Bridgen, p. 135</ref>  This was a naval attack on Spain, but it was heavily defeated with substantial English losses. Madrid changed its strategy , and a series of fortifications were built in the Americas that gave greater protection against English and other privateers. Spain, after the defeat of the Armada, remained the premier maritime power outside China.  However, the Armada defeat of the Armada did lead to long-term changes that proved to be very important in the England's rise of England as a naval power. There was a recognition, after After the attempted Spanish invasion , there was a recognition that the English needed a strong navy , and successive English administrations pursued policies that helped to expand the navy. England focused on developing new technologies and building ‘modern shipyards.’ <ref>Holmes, p. 217</ref> These changes laid the groundwork for England 's naval power.

Additionally, if the Spanish Armada had been a success , it is highly unlikely improbable that England would have been able to successfully plant colonies in North America. In the early seventeenth century, English colonies were founded at Plymouth Rock and Jamestown. If the Spanish had placed one of their candidates on the England's throne of England then , this may might never have occurred. The Armada's defeat of the Armada saw England emerge as, if not a dominant naval power but an important one, and the principal colonizer of North America. Additionally, English trading companies such as the East India Company expanded across the globe.<ref>Holmes, p. 256</ref> England's naval capability directly lead led to the British Empire's growth and development of the British Empire.

====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.

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