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Describe two features of Elizabeth's religious settlement (1559) - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
Describe two features of Elizabeth's religious settlement (1559). Feature 1 Feature 2 (b) Explain why there was an increase in exploration in the years 1558–88. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe two features of Elizabeth's religious settlement (1559) - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe two features of Elizabeth's religious settlement (1559).
Answer
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The Act of Supremacy (1559): This act established Elizabeth as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, thereby reinforcing her authority and ensuring a Protestant framework. It marked a significant return to Protestantism after the reign of Mary I, who had sought to restore Catholicism.
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The Book of Common Prayer: The usage of the Book of Common Prayer was mandated, which standardized religious services and maintained a compromise between different Protestant factions. This aimed to create unity within the church and establish a national identity under the Protestant faith.
Step 2
Explain why there was an increase in exploration in the years 1558–88.
Answer
The increase in exploration during this period can be attributed to several factors:
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Advancements in Navigational Aids: The introduction of improved navigational tools such as the astrolabe and better maps significantly enhanced sailors' ability to navigate vast oceans, leading to longer and more ambitious voyages.
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Desire for Luxury Goods: The growing demand for luxury goods, particularly from Asia and the Americas, spurred explorers to seek new trade routes. This was driven by the economic competition with Spain and Portugal, prompting English explorers to find alternative pathways for trade.
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Political Support for Exploration: Elizabeth I encouraged exploration as a means of expanding English influence and countering Spanish dominance. This included financing expeditions that further contributed to the surge in exploration activities during her reign.
Step 3
‘The effective use of naval tactics was the main reason for the English victory over the Spanish Armada.’
Answer
While the effective use of naval tactics played a crucial role, several other factors contributed to the English victory over the Spanish Armada.
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Fire Ships: The use of fire ships to scatter the Spanish fleet at Calais was a tactical masterstroke that disrupted their plans. This unexpected strategy contributed significantly to the English advantage.
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Bad Weather: The adverse weather conditions, often referred to as the 'Protestant Wind,' crippled the Spanish fleet on their return journey. Many ships were lost to storms, which was beyond the control of naval tactics.
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Motivation and Morale of the English Sailors: The English forces were highly motivated to defend their homeland. This dedication, combined with superior naval tactics, created a formidable opposition against the larger Spanish fleet.