Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy

Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy1560-1572

Introduction

What Shaped Foreign Policy?

MunitionsShipsManpower

Resources

• Important questions: Did Elizabeth have a foreign policy?

Was she reacting to safeguard England’s national interests?

England’s Traditional Alliances

Spain (friend)

France (foe)

• France’s geographical proximity made it the

greatest threat.

• England & Spain allies despite their religious

differences.

1. To secure trade access through Antwerp. 2. To secure England’s national interests against Spain, France and Scotland.

• But subject to change.• Elizabeth had TWO major priorities.

What Determines Foreign Policy?

Personality of the

Monarch

Priorities of the

Monarch

• For the first 20 years it was linked to the

question of marriage & succession.

• Relied on all for advice. Cecil was the most

influential.

Facts on Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy

Major Influences

WilliamCecil

Privy Council

LeadingMen

ForeignAmbassadors

Limitations on Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy

• Couldn’t wage a prolonged war in Europe.

The loss of Calais and England’s failure to conquer Scotland was proof of it’s inability to fight a prolonged war.

• England’s navy and militia’s role was primarily

defensive.

• Smaller population.

• Less financial resources.

The Situation in 1558

• Events at home and abroad determined and

shaped Elizabeth’s foreign policy.

• Expectation for Elizabeth to right the wrongs of

Mary’s reign. To unify England after years of division. To rebuild England’s run down navy.

In England

European Opponents of Protestantism

SpainPope France

In Europe

• Catholicism was a unifying force in Europe. • Protestantism had ended that unity.

All were committed to achieving a Counter-Reformation!

• Philip II rule was extensive.

Spain

• As ‘Most Catholic King’ he saw himself as the

Protector of Catholicism. • Spain had several advantages over England: THREE times the POPULATION.

GREAT WEALTH from the NEW WORLD.

• Spain had a fear of France.

• Alliance with England to neutralize French threat.

Elizabeth’s Greatest Fear

• Spain and France would unite against England. • In the past she had been able to play one off

against the other. In 1559 Spain, France and England signed the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis. Spain and

France were now friends and Elizabeth’s worst fears were realised.

The French Threat

Alliance withScotland

GeographicalProximity

Mary’s claim to English

throne

France

• England’s traditional enemy.

FOUR times the POPULATION.

• Rome support Mary Stuarts claim the throne.

• Mary Stuart’s husband Francis II was a puppet

King of Mary’s uncles the Guise brothers. They wanted….

Elizabeth’s Concern

Mary Guise restored to the Scottish throne. Mary Stuart on the English throne.

The Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis and papalsupport against Elizabeth made this threat

a distinct possibility.

Scotland

• In 1558 was ruled by Mary Guise on behalf of

her daughter Mary Stuart.

• Influence of French.

Elizabeth’s Concern

• Geographical proximity made it a threat.

Elizabeth welcomed and supported arebellion led by Scottish Protestants against

Mary of Guise.

The Main Features

ofElizabeth’s Foreign Policy

Intervention in Scotland

• Elizabeth feared a French and Catholic crusade

being launched from Scotland and Ireland.

• Wanted to reduce French influence.

Treaty of Berwick1560

• Cecil threatens to resign if Elizabeth doesn’t

intervene in Scotland.

• Elizabeth pledges support to Scottish nobles

against the French.

• French agree to withdraw from Scotland.

Treaty of Edinburgh1560

• New government formed under Lord James

Stuart. Result

• Cecil’s policies prove successful. • Threat of France resolved without war.• Elizabeth seen as Protectress of Protestant

rebels, a role that would upset Spain and France.

The War with Spain

Elizabeth had successfully kept the peace with France but Spain was angered by the execution of Mary.

Points of Conflict

•Colonialism and piracy•England’s assistance to Netherlands, 1585 – 86.

The Naval War 1585 - 86

• Phillip seizes English ships in Spanish ports• Drake sacks Cape Verde Island, Sanio

Domingo, Cartagenea• Spanish shipping devastated, English

supremacy at sea underlined.

The Spanish Armada 1587 - 88

• Attempts at assassination had failed, the sea war had been lost, only a land war could

succeed.• Catholic countries supplied ships and troops• Elizabeth became aware of Armada plans, sent

Drake in. 1587 Drake attacked Spanish fleet at Cadiz – delayed the invasion for at least a year.

Effects of Defeat

Counter Reformation impossible

Anglican church secure

No Catholic heir to throne

Elizabeth's prestige increased

English power and influence increase

English nationalism

advances

Increased English colonialism at

American colonies

IRELAND

Although Ireland was one of her two kingdoms, Elizabeth faced a hostile—and in places virtually autonomous Catholic population that was willing to plot with her enemies.

Policy • grant land to her courtiers • Prevent Spain a base • scorched-earth tactics, burning the land and slaughtering man,

woman and child.

"that rude and barbarous nation”

• Tyrone's Rebellion, or the Nine Years War. Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, was backed by Spain. 1599, sent Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex made little progress and returned to England without permission. Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy, three years to defeat the rebels.

• O'Neill finally surrendered in 1603, a few days after Elizabeth's death.

Stephen Ellis (1985) The Tudor achievement in Ireland remains

distinctly unimpressive.

Concerns in Ireland did not receive the urgent attention which characterised Elizabeth’s dealings with mainstream issues.

A drain on resourcesA volatile situation, clearly periods where English rule broke down.

Considerations

Individual policies were workable but none were given time, effort or

resources.

Inconsistently applied goals, and as a result Ireland simply entered

another unhappy relationship with England.

Results

Was Elizabeth’sForeign Policy

Successful?

• Historians agree war with Spain inevitable . • Not able to authorize full scale attack and

preferred to send limited aid through her allies.

Considerations

• 1570s: aim was to avoid war with Spain but by

the 1580s couldn’t. • England a second rate power went to war against

Europe's strongest military power. • War not a success because of its length & cost. • Defeat of Armada due to external factors(Storm).

• Could not have anticipated events of 1580s.

Defending Elizabeth

Philip’s acquisition of Portugal. Murder of Henry III.

Assassination of William of Orange. Accession of Henry V! to throne of France.

• Concerned that defeat of Spain would open the

way for French expansionism. • Elizabeth wanted to maintain the balance of

power between Spain and France. • Elizabeth’s foreign policy deemed a success!.