How the English Defeated the Spanish Armada|5 Minute Video
What was possibly the most determinative date in American history? July 4, 1776? Pearl Harbor? September 11? How about … July 28, 1588. Richard McMillan, Professor of History at Pierce College, explains why that seemingly random date is so crucial.
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Script:
What is the most important date in American history?
July 4th, 1776– the date of American independence?
Or April 12, 1861 – the first day of the Civil War that ended slavery in America?
Or maybe December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese Empire bombed Pearl Harbor, bringing America into World War II?
Or how about this one– July 28th, 1588.
Yes, 1588. That’s thirty years before Plymouth Rock, and nearly twenty years before Jamestown, John Smith and Pocahontas.
So, why is it such a crucial date in American history?
A little background.
In 1588, the most powerful guy worldwide was the King of Spain, Phillip II. Flush with gold and silver from the New World, he had no competitors, save one: Queen Elizabeth of England.
England was a Protestant country and Spain was Catholic, as was most of Europe. In addition to considering her a heretic, Phillip disliked her for 2 additional reasons: initially, she was funding a disobedience by the Dutch Protestants against Spain in the Spanish Netherlands, which Phillip managed; and 2nd, since she had performed her rebellious cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Mary, like Phillip, was a Catholic monarch. Phillip felt that Mary, not Elizabeth, was the rightful successor to the English throne.
Phillip felt that with the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth had gone too far. The time had come, he chose, to discipline her and her heretic country.
He came up with an audacious strategy. He would get into England. To do this he needed a large army and lots of ships. He needed an Armada.
130 ships that would carry 30,000 males.
Phillip was very abundant, however not that abundant. Once he had actually conquered England, he might utilize the English treasury to pay off any financial obligations.
The ships were built and the soldiers hired. Most notably, Phillip had actually selected a proficient man to lead them, the Marquis de Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz requested more time to prepare his ships and guys, however Phillip was impatient. Far too restless, as it turned out. In an enormous stroke of misery (the first of lots of) Santa Cruz passed away right before the Armada was to set sail. Instead of put in the time to seek a suitable replacement, Phillip pushed ahead and selected Duke Medina Sidonia to take command. There was just one problem: Sidonia was an Army general. He had no marine experience; in truth, he had actually never ever been out to sea.
The English understood the Spanish were coming and they were all set for them. What they lacked in fire power, they made up in maneuverability, familiarity with the treacherous English Channel, and the most creative and capable sea commanders of the age– Lord High Admiral Howard, Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake.
Instead, they released a pre-emptive attack on the Spanish fleet while it was still docked in the French port of Calais. Setting a variety of their own ships on fire, they cruised them into the port.
The Spanish cut their anchors to leave the flaming English ships, but, in their panic, they only made matters worse. The Spanish ships rammed into each other, tangling riggings, slicing sails and crushing hulls. The vessels that weren’t damaged were sitting ducks for the English cannon.
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source
In addition to considering her an apostate, Phillip disliked her for 2 additional factors: initially, she was funding a disobedience by the Dutch Protestants against Spain in the Spanish Netherlands, which Phillip managed; and second, due to the fact that she had performed her rebellious cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Phillip felt that Mary, not Elizabeth, was the rightful heir to the English throne.
As soon as he had conquered England, he could use the English treasury to pay off any debts. The English understood the Spanish were coming and they were prepared for them. The Spanish cut their anchors to leave the flaming English ships, however, in their panic, they just made matters worse.
