Write an account of how the Spanish Armada was defeated. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 1

The English utilized faster and more agile ships that were better suited to the narrow confines of the English Channel. This gave them a significant tactical advantage over the Spanish, whose larger, slower ships struggled in these waters.

One critical error was the failure of the Spanish fleet to coordinate effectively. They did not rendezvous at the right time with their soldiers in the Netherlands, resulting in a lack of unified strength against the English.

There were significant communication issues between the Spanish commanders, which hindered their ability to adapt and respond to English tactics in real-time. This delay contributed to their eventual defeat.

English leaders, like Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, were experienced and effectively led their fleets in engagements against the Armada. Their familiarity with naval combat gave them leverage during confrontations.

The Spanish underestimated the English naval capabilities and overestimated their own. They failed to recognize the dire implications of this miscalculation until it was too late.

Turbulent weather conditions also played a role in the Spanish defeat. Their ships were not only vulnerable to active attacks but also to natural elements, which further compounded their difficulties.

The culmination of these factors led to the retreat of the Spanish Armada, which ultimately contributed to England's emergence as a dominant naval power and marked the decline of Spanish supremacy on the seas.