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Article: Armada, Spanish
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- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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ARMADA, SPANISH
ARMADA, SPANISH.
Often called the "Invincible Armada," the Spanish Armada was the invasion fleet launched against England in 1588 by Philip II of Spain. Its defeat left England Protestant, aided the Dutch Revolt, and compounded the tax burden on Spain's strained economy.
In 1585 worsening relations between Philip II of Spain and Elizabeth I of England erupted into war. Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonesuch with the Dutch and permitted Sir Francis Drake to maraud in response to a Spanish embargo. Drake surprised Vigo, Spain, in October, then proceeded to the Caribbean and sacked Santo Domingo and Cartagena.
Philip ordered the marquis of Santa Cruz in Lisbon to form an ...