Why did the Spanish Armada occur?
Elizabeth managed to keep England at peace for nearly 30 years, despite the country being at war with France at the onset of her succession; an unfortunate circumstance of her half-sister’s reign. With the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Spain emerged as England’s greatest enemy. Under Elizabeth’s rule, the English navy was encouraged to raid Spanish shipping vessels and demolish Spanish monopolies. This outraged Phillip, who launched the Spanish Armada in 1559 in retaliation to the English. A Catholic uprising against a Protestant England, the Armada was eventually defeated by Elizabeth’s powerful Royal Navy.
