English defeat of the Spanish Armada (may 1, 1562 – may 1, 1588)

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In 1588, King Philip II of Spain launched a massive naval expedition, known as the Spanish Armada, with the goal of invading England and overthrowing Queen Elizabeth I. The Armada consisted of around 130 ships, including galleons, galleys, and transports, carrying approximately 30,000 men.
The Spanish Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, in May 1588, intending to rendezvous with Spanish forces in the Netherlands before proceeding to invade England.

The Spanish Armada encountered English naval forces off the coast of England in July 1588. The two fleets engaged in a series of skirmishes and naval battles over several days.
The English navy utilized tactics such as "fire ships," which were set ablaze and sent drifting into the Spanish fleet, causing panic and disruption. The English also took advantage of their superior maneuverability to harass and attack the slower-moving Spanish ships.
Stormy weather and unfavorable winds further hampered the Spanish Armada's progress and contributed to its defeat. Many Spanish ships were damaged or wrecked along the coasts of England and Ireland.

The defeat of the Spanish Armada was a humiliating setback for Spain and a triumph for England. The English victory boosted national pride and solidified England's status as a major naval power.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada also had broader implications for European geopolitics. It weakened Spain's dominance in Europe and paved the way for England's ascendance as a maritime and colonial power in the following centuries.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada is often viewed as a turning point in the Protestant-Catholic struggle of the Reformation era and as a key moment in the rise of the British Empire.

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