Foreign Policy For , the pressures of ruling England influenced much of her foreign policy. These pressures came from a lack of resources (England was far less wealthy and had a smaller population than France or Spain) and England’s religious divisions. Elizabeth’s foreign policy aims can be summarised as: 1. Develop and improve trade to help the English economy. 2. Protect English boarders. 3. Protect the English throne. 4. Avoid war, which cost a lot of money and could lead to Elizabeth being overturned

Task: Highlight the key features of Elizabeth’s aims and identify key themes. The first has been done for you

Theme= IMPROVE TRADE Theme= Theme=

1. During Elizabeth’s reign, English 2. Like Henry VIII, Elizabeth wished to 3. Spices could be obtained through merchants began to explore new follow and actually followed a Policy of Middle-Eastern middlemen, but they markets and trading partners. They remaining aloof from the wars. There were charged a massive mark-up that made went to Hamburg, Russia, China, reasons for it. To begin with, the treasury the spices very expensive. Europeans India and the New World (the was more or less empty Secondly; England therefore wanted to establish a direct America’s discovered in 1492). was facing shortage of war materials and sea-route to the Far East so that they However, English merchants faced equipment also. Thirdly, Elizabeth wanted could buy directly from China, India, and problems in developing trade. Spain to establish her power firmly on the throne the East Indies. In 1600 The East India controlled the Netherlands, of England and did not wish to waste her Company was founded. Its main object England's main route into European energies in wars with other countries. Her was to contest Spanish and Portuguese markets. Antwerp port in the chief motive in the foreign sphere was that control of the spice trade, by trading Netherlands was particularly England should remain a free and directly with the East Indies important to British trade. independent nation. She did not like the (modern-day India and Indonesia). idea that England should be under influence of the pope in Rome or any other foreign power. Theme: Theme: Theme:

4. Elizabeth was also eager to ensure that 5. Elizabeth was determined to see her foreign 6. During the and early , the neither France nor Spain controlled the policy succeed and with that end in view she did possibility was mooted of an alliance with entire coastline facing England, for the not marry. Though the Parliament expressed its France based on the marriage of Elizabeth I to threats of military invasion and of trade wish and Prayer that she should marry and give Francis, Duke of Anjou. However, the French isolation were far greater if one power an heir to the British throne, Elizabeth was more a match was intensely unpopular amongst the controlled the Channel Coast. At same diplomat than a woman. By remaining unmarried English political nation, who’s anti-French and times Elizabeth feared that the French she saved England from many likely troubles. She anti-Catholic sentiments it outraged. E would ally with the Dutch rebels and knew it full well that if she married a Roman control the whole coast; at other times it Catholic, the protestant would resent it. If, on the seemed possible that Spain might defeat other hand, she married a protestant, the both the French and Dutch. Catholics would seriously dislike it.

Theme: Theme: Theme:

7. In the 1500s, the nations of Europe 8. Spain claimed much of the New World 9. was an English merchant were rivals. Thy competed for more (Americas including Florida, Mexico and Peru). who made his name and fortune trading in territories and power. More land meant The profits to be made here where enormous. the new world. He also made huge sums of more people, wealth and power. This There were valuable crops such as sugar and money for people who invested in his voyages rivalry often led to a foreign policy which tobacco and huge supplies of silver. However, to including Elizabeth I. However, much of what caused a war. Religion was another trade there you needed a license from Spain. he did could be considered piracy. source of conflict. Many English men ignored there regulations and traded there illegally. Some attacked Spanish ports and shipping. This could not be ignored by Philip II and Spain. Relationship with Spain- Read through the information- use this to answer the question.

• The steady decline in relations between England and Spain after 1558 makes it tempting to see a certain inevitability in the hostilities that broke out in 1585 and dominated the last years of Philip's and Elizabeth's lives. • Yet it was not a conflict that either of them sought and war was never formally declared. The drift into war meant that a number of fluctuating issues and pressures became involved and assigning precise causes is not easy.

Why did relations decline?

Trade

• Both countries wanted more land and resources throughout the world. • Whilst Spain has tried to dominate the control of America, Francis Drake’s expeditions has prevented this and strengthened the British position there. This was done without Spanish permission, which angered Phillip II. • Due to tightening of control from Spain in the Netherlands, trade had decreased. Elizabeth’s explorers also travelled further to Russia and India.

Religion • Phillip II was a strong Catholic and Elizabeth a devout Protestant. The two leaders did not want the influence of the other religion to spread throughout Europe. • Spain was involved in the plots to overthrown Elizabeth and replace her with her cousin Mary, who was a strong Catholic. • Phillip strongly opposed Elizabeth’s religious settlement in England. Why did relations decline? Politics • Phillip II was ruler of the most powerful country in the world, and he also had rule over the Netherlands as well as being King of Portugal. • He also had land in the New World (America) which gained him a lot of money from the treasure there. This meant he was able to support and pay for a strong army. • Elizabeth was threatened by this as she was worried Phillip might try to take her throne, or replace her with her cousin Mary. The Netherlands • The English Channel was vitally important to both Elizabeth and Phillip for trade and security. • Phillip owned the Netherlands, which had strengthened his position in Europe. However, the Dutch rebelled in 1572 against their rule. • The Dutch asked for help from fellow Protestant Elizabeth and, although reluctant at first, she increasing became involved in helping to defend the . • When the Spanish army began to suffer, she persuaded the French to help as well as sending £100,000 to the Dutch.

Task – Read the information above and answer the question below: What was the most important reason for the decline in Anglo-Spanish relations and why? Francis Drake

• On 13th December 1577, Sir Francis Drake finally left Plymouth with his fleet of five ships on a journey which would see him circumnavigating the Globe. • Storm damage to two of his ships had scuppered earlier plans. The purpose of this journey was to sail into the Pacific and raid the Spanish colonies there. It was a secret mission authorised by Queen Elizabeth I and investors of Drake’s mission included the Queen, Sir Francis Walsingham, William and George Wynter, Christopher Hatton and John Hawkins. • Only one ship, “The Pelican”, made it safely to the Pacific, arriving there in October 1578. As a tribute to its success it was renamed “The Golden Hind”, after Sir Christopher Hatton’s coat of arms. Drake the sailed along South America’s Pacific coast, plundering towns and Spanish ports, and capturing Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels. • This all took place before June 1579. In June 1579, Drake landed just north of Point Loma (present day San Diego, California), which was Spain’s northernmost holding in the Americas. He claimed it for England in the name of the Holy Trinity and called it Nova Albion, “New Britain”. He then turned south and made his way back home, arriving in England in September 1580. He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the Globe. Drakes of the world • Drakes voyages of 1568 and 1572 left him with a hatred of Catholic Spain and a desire to inflict further damage on its empire • He wanted to: • Revenge for previous attacks by attacking Central America. • Capture Spanish gold, silver and other treasure to pay his own wages as well as his workers. Some of this money would also go to Queen Elizabeth. • He wanted to weaken the Catholic power in Europe to make England more secure from attack. • He wanted to claim new land for Queen Elizabeth to make England more powerful. • He also wanted to establish better trade routes and find new markets where England could sell goods.

Drake’s Ships • Drake’s ship was an 80 ton vessel called the Golden Hind. He also sailed with 4 other ships: The Elizabeth, The Marigold, The Swan and The Christopher. He had a crew of 164 sailors and tons of supplies.

Why was Drake’s circumnavigation significant? 1. England was now considered a great sea-faring nation 2. The Spanish were threatened by the success of the English 3. Drake shared his experience with other sailors 4. He brought back £500,000,000 worth of treasure and goods 5. Drake was welcomed by the native Americans, which encouraged other Europeans to travel and settle there 6. Drake’s success encouraged others to travel the globe 7. Drake angered Phillip II, which further hindered Anglo-Spanish relations 8. Drake was knighted for his actions 9. Drake and his crew were only the 2nd group in the world to have successfully circumnavigated the globe Task: Highlight evidence of Drake being a hero, and evidence that he was not a hero. Hero / Not a Hero During the Elizabethan period the desire He would attack Spanish vessels, taking Although vital to the British for power and to explore was increasing. the treasure that they had brought back government and the Queen herself, even Religion and politics were dominant from abroad, and would raid Spanish and the English people were somewhat forces. Queen Elizabeth I was eager to Portuguese ports. To the Spanish, ‘El divided in their view of Drake. Some follow in Spain and Portugal’s explorative Draque’ (The Dragon) was a wayward pirate, admired his achievements and courage, footsteps - they were travelling the globe, a threat to their voyages. The king of Spain whilst others resented him. to the Americas, benefitting from slavery and Portugal, King Philip II was said to have and setting up important trade routes. offered the huge sum of 20,000 ducats (£4 Francis Drake was key to gaining much of million) for Drake’s life. Drake was England’s riches and naval successes, definitely not popular! however morally corrupt his actions were! Drake and his second cousin, Richard Queen Elizabeth I had obvious faith in They then sailed to Brazil, and Hawkins, led one of the first slavery trips Drake – in 1572 she enlisted Drake as a successfully navigated the notoriously to West Africa in 1567. It was illegal in privateer (pirate working for the head of a difficult Strait of Magellan in 1578. He English law to capture people and country) to sail to the Americas. was the first Englishman to do so. 1579 transport them, but in those days it was Her minister, Lord Burghley, was not at was an eventful year for Drake. He took perceived as ok if they were slaves, non- all fond of Drake’s villainous behaviour, over the Spanish ship, Nuestra Senora protestants or criminals! They were but did concede that he was a good weapon de la Concepcion, only hurting the captain attacked by Spanish vessels and only two against the Spanish. Queen Elizabeth had to with an arrow. He gained a wealth of maintain a public attitude of disapproval for treasure from this. of the six British ships survived (those led his unlawful methods, to try and prevent by Drake and Hawkins themselves). This, hostile relations with Spain. She did as well as other factors, contributed to approve of the treasure he returned with fuelling the animosity between Spain and though. Magellan led the first voyage round England, leading up to the war in 1585 and the world, but Drake was next, the first subsequent Armada. Englishman to achieve this. Task: Highlight evidence of Drake being a hero, and evidence that he was not a hero. Hero / Not a Hero

Also in this year, repairs to Drake’s They then crossed the Pacific and After this incredible ship were needed, so Drake moored through the Indian Ocean, past achievement, Queen Elizabeth I at what today is San Francisco. He Indonesia and all the way back to saw it fitting to honour Drake, not did not waste the opportunity and England, returning with much only with treasure and exotic spices. He had £10,000, but also with a claimed the land for England, become the first Englishman to knighthood. It was thought that naming it ‘Nova Albion’ (Latin for circumnavigate the globe on 26th she dined on the Golden Hind at ‘New Britain’) - a successful journey! September, 1580. Deptford in 1581 and it was after Today, there is a Sir Francis Drake this meal that he became Sir Hotel in Union Square, San Francis Drake. Francisco, as a commemoration of this historical moment.

But in fact, Elizabeth delegated the Drake was involved in the Broadside positioning, devised by job of knighting Drake to Marquis destruction of a Spanish fleet at Drake to attack the Armada, was a de Marchaumont, a French Cadiz in 1587. The success. He ordered the British ambassador. This was to avoid attacked fleet was to be part of the ships to sail in a line further away drawing attention to Drake’s Armada, and this action delayed it from the Spanish ships than achievements and making it seem for a would normally be advised. They that she approved of his tactics, to year. Drake was given the position would then shoot from this appease the Spanish. In September of Vice Admiral to Lord Howard of position, which proved very of the same year, he was made Mayor of Plymouth. Effingham in 1588, to fight the effective in defeating the Spanish. Armada. Foreign Policy after 1584

• Elizabeth was under pressure from the Privy Council to directly intervene in the Netherlands against the Spanish but she still did not want a war. • By 1579, the situation in the Netherlands had changed. The Duke of Parma, who had been sent to the Netherlands by Philip II was a far more effective military leader that Don Juan and the Spanish soon had the upper hand. • Elizabeth would have to decide whether to help the rebels and go to war with Spain.

Task: Highlight the key features in the information below

Why did Elizabeth change her foreign policy after 1584 and consider war with Spain? (highlight SFD)

1. Circumstances beyond Elizabeth’s control made England’s situation even more hazardous by the end of 1584: on June 10th the Duke of Alencon died. Only one month later on the 10th July, William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch rebels was assassinated. Should Elizabeth help the Dutch? Despite these events Elizabeth wanted to remain cautious. Cecil agreed. Others led by the Earl of Leicester continued to push for direct support. The question of Spain was debated by the Privy Council from the autumn of 1584 until the summer of 1585.

2. At the end of 1584, the French signed the with Philip II to secure his help against the French Protestants. In 1585, the King of France signed up to the Catholic Leagues aim of ridding France of heresy. Effectively this meant that Catholic France and Spain were allies against Protestantism. Why did Elizabeth change her foreign policy after 1584 and consider war with Spain? (highlight SFD)

3. In June 1585, Dutch Protestant representatives came to England offering Elizabeth I control of the Netherlands. She refused as this would mean deposing Philip II. Instead on 10th August 1585, Elizabeth signed the with the Dutch Protestants. It effectively put England and Spain at war: Elizabeth had agreed to directly intervene in the Netherlands on the side of the rebels. England would finance an army of 7,400 troops under a commander of her choosing, who would work with the rebels government, the Council of State. The man she chose was her long-time ally the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley.

4. In October 1585, Elizabeth also sent Sir Francis Drake to raid Spanish New World Settlements, with the aim of disrupting Philip II’s flow of resources ad finances. However, rather than deterring Philip, Drake only succeeded in angering him. Philip told the Pope that he intended to invade England at the end of 1585.Elizabeth was still cautious. The campaign was a not a great success for Elizabeth in the Netherlands as she did not provide the Earl of Leicester with enough men or troops. Elizabeth was also furious that the Earl of Leicester accepted the title ‘Governor General of the Low Countries.’ This implied that England wanted control of the area and would enrage the Spanish. The English army did however, slow down the advance of the Spanish army under the Duke of Parma, and prevented him from capturing the deep water port of Flushing.

Task– Judge the most important reason why Elizabeth began to consider war with Spain after 1584