Spanish Decline and English Rising

Before Notes, how about an Explorer Review Game!http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/games/walk/walk_explorers.html

Spanish Decline and English Rising Europe and the New World Notes

Spanish Power! • In the 1500’s Spain had become far and away the most powerful nation on Earth. • They were bringing in more wealth from exploiting their colonies than any other nation. • They used their wealth to construct a massive navy, called the Spanish Armada, capable of dominating the seas.

Leadership Drama… • When we last saw England… • Henry VIII had turned it Protestant • He died, and his son Edward VI became King. • Edward, a protestant, dies at 15, before he has any kids. • So Edwards older half-sister (remember, Henry had 6 wives!), Mary I (Henry’s oldest daughter) becomes Queen of England.

Mary I • Mary aka “Bloody Mary” is a hardcore Catholic in Protestant England. • She turns England Catholic in 1553 and burns Protestants at the stake! • She marries Prince Philip II of Spain in order to have an heir and strengthen the Catholic church. • But Mary dies two years later, and her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth becomes Queen. • Elizabeth vs. Philip II is now a huge rivalry!

The Defeat of the Spanish Armada… • One of the most influential conflicts in world history… • Philip II decides to invade Protestant England in 1588 because Elizabeth refuses his marriage offer and allows her pirates (like Sir Francis Drake) to attack his ships! • Despite having the world’s most powerful navy in the Spanish Armada, they are defeated by the English (who were helped by bad weather). • England would stay Protestant, and Philip II would lose tremendous influence in Europe.

The Defeat of the Spanish Armada as told by some British moron… • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXP3yOOG1Wo

Some effects of the defeat of the Armada… 1. Spanish power slowly deteriorated after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and Britain takes control of the seas. 2. Other countries begin exploration around 1600s because they aren’t threatened by the Spanish anymore.

Why did the Spanish power decline? • 1. Spanish rulers (Charles V and Philip II) were only concerned with wealth and Christianity. • 2. Spain lacked industry as gold simply passed through Spain on its way to other European nations. • This allows rivals to grow internally and Spain funds it. Essentially, Spain is the buyer and everyone else produces and supplies. • 3. The Protestant movement in surrounding Europe led to rebellions in Spain.

Why were the British more successful in the colonies? • Tried to make their colonies profitable through trade. • Remember, English mercantilists believed colonies existed to make the home country better. • Britain enacted laws to force their colonists to sell certain products to Britain, and not to other countries. • While it led to future conflict, it gave the British valuable supplies (not just money like in Spain).

And English exploration continues into the 1600s, including where we live today… • Private companies and individuals looking to have successful businesses settled along the east coast. • Men like Henry Hudson searched for trade routes and a Northwest Passage through North America.

Spanish Decline and English Rising