Essay plans for Elizabeth I for option 1C of AQA A level history. The essay plans contain 3-4 potential paragraphs, with for and against arguments, including facts and analysis. Essay plans on the golden age, religion, the monarchy, government, society, economy, rebellions, and foreign policy etc.
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Elizabeth I
Foreign policy
Questions
How effectively did Elizabeth deal with the threat from Spain in the years
1558 to 1589?
‘Elizabeth I’s policy towards Spain was always weak and unconvincing.’
Assess the validity of this view in reference to the years 1568 to 1603.
Elizabeth’s foreign policy was mostly a series of disasters.’ Assess the
validity of this view.
How effectively did Elizabeth deal with the threat from Spain in the years
1558 to 1589?
Success - avoiding antagonising Spanish Liz blundered - Anglo-Spanish relations to
through diplomacy deteriorate
Starting her reign as allies against the Happy to provoke Spanish when money
French, politely declined Phillip II’s involved. Allowed English privateers,
proposal maintaining cordial relationships including John Hawkins, to attack Spanish
with the Spanish until peace with the shipping and challenge Spanish trade in
French had been negotiated (Treaty of the New World
Cateau Cambresis, 1559) In 1568, several Spanish vessels carrying
Liz reluctant to help Dutch protestants after 400k florins to pay the army of the Duke of
Spanish asserted more direct control in Alba, Phillip’s general in the Netherlands,
1560s. she did not want to support was forced to seek shelter in English ports,
rebellion against a legitimate monarch Liz ‘impounded’ the money
When the Dutch provinces quarrelled In 1572, Liz expelled Protestant Dutch
among themselves the French threatened pirates - sea beggars - from English ports
to take advantage and invade, prompting - landed in Dutch port of Brielle -
Elizabeth to consider marriage to the Duke controlled by Spanish - triggered full scale
of Anjou (French King’s brother) in case revolt against Spanish
they succeeded. In 1580, Spanish strength increased when
Although, neither invasion or marriage they annexed Portugal. Liz supported
occurred it was a shrewd move to Portuguese pretender, Don Antonio,
counterbalance Spain’s dominance in the against the Spanish
She could also be petty. Francis Drake
Elizabeth I 1
, Netherlands without resorting to direct knighted in 1581 for circumnavigating the
threat globe - deliberate provocation of the
Spanish and their perceived dominance in
this field. Drake hated by Spanish, Liz
treated Spanish ambassador with
contempt
Responded effectively to direct challenges Success overstated in challenging Spanish
from Spain dominance
Spain backed unsuccessful Northern
rebellion (1569), designed to put MQS and
Norfolk on the throne
The initial invasion of the Netherlands, led
Spanish threats increased after Liz’s
by Leicester in 1565, was a disaster. ill
excommunication in 1570
disciplined troops and a lack of leadership
Spain backed unsuccessful Ridolfi (1571)
caused desertion and a breakdown of
and Throckmorton (1582) plots to
relationships with England’s Dutch allies
overthrow Liz
Although heralded as a triumph, Drake’s
Elizabeth finally took action over Spain’s
attack on the Spanish fleet moored in
conquest of the Netherlands - William of
Cadiz in 1587 only delayed the Armada for
Orange assassinated (1584), Phillip II and
a year highlighting England’s continued
the French catholic league (guise) allied in
inferiority
the 1584 Treaty of Joinville - greater
Defeat of Spanish Armada owed far more
Spanish support of MQS
to the weather than the English navy
Liz made an alliance with Dutch
Moreover, the victory didn’t secure
Protestants in 1585 - treaty of Nonsuch -
England from Spanish invasion. Two more
go on to successfully secure Protestant
attempts 1596 and 1597 were made, both
dominance in northern Netherlands
defeated by weather too
Liz eventually ended Spanish intrigue by
Anglo-Spanish war did not end until 1604
having MQS executed in 1587 after
and cost England a considerable sum
Babington plot
Investment in British navy played its part in
defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588
Government
Questions
‘Elizabethan government had more weaknesses than strengths in the years
1558-1588.’ Assess the validity of this view.
‘Elizabeth’s management of government could be described as 30 years of
success, followed by 15 years of decline.’ Assess the validity of this view.
How important were government policies and actions in the decline of
Catholicism in England between 1558 and 1603?
Elizabeth I 2
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