War at sea

How could people who favoured a more expansive naval campaign support their case?

Arguing that war in the Netherlands tended to be expensive and difficult while England had enjoyed success with small-scale naval attacks in the Caribbean and on mainland Spain in 1585-87

What happened from 1595?

English made 3 attacks on mainland Spain and its colonies

What did these attacks include?

A spectacular but short-lived victory with the capture and occupation of Cadiz and the sinking of 4 galleons

Why did Hawkins and Drake advocate an attack on Panama?

Regarded it as the weakest point in the Spanish empire

What was the consequences of the attack?

Attack failed and both Hawkins and Drake died at sea

What was a result of the capture of Cadiz?

Humiliated Philip II and prevented Spanish merchant vessels from sailing to the Caribbean- blow to the Spanish

What did Philip order in 1596?

A fleet to invade England

Why did this fleet fail?

Defeated by storms

What happened to the threat to England?

Remained clear

What did Spain also try to exploit?

The rebellion in Ireland

How did England try to prevent a possible Spanish attack on Ireland?

A fleet under the Earl of Essex’s command was despatched to attack the Spanish fleet in harbour in NW Spain in 1597

What happened to Essex’s fleet?

Driven back to Plymouth by adverse winds and was eventually used to sail to the Azores

What happened to the Spanish fleet?

Succeeded in setting sail for Ireland

What created huge panic in England?

Further fear of invasion in 1599 prompted almost entirely by false intelligence

What was naval activity was directed almost entirely by?

The need to prevent Spanish landings in Ireland

What had happened in the end?

Little had been achieved at a very great cost