The Spanish Armada was a fleet of nearly 130 ships launched by King Philip II of Spain in 1588 as a strategic move against Protestant England led by Queen Elizabeth I. The intention was to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I, restore Catholicism, and halt English marine assaults on the Spanish Atlantic trade. Philip II was convinced to launch this naval mission by his personal advisor, the Duke of Parma. The Armada consisted of warships, transports and supply vessels manned by about 20,000 men.In July 1588, it sailed towards England through the English Channel but met with a strong resistance from the English naval forces. The English counter-attacked using fire-ships and took advantage of the weather, causing significant damage and disarray on the Spanish fleet. The Armada was forced to continue around the north of Scotland and back to Spain but encountered disastrous storms and suffered heavy losses. The defeat of the Spanish Armada marked a pivotal moment in English history, boosting national pride and strengthening Queen Elizabeth's position. It also signalled the dawn of England’s naval dominance and the gradual decline of Spanish imperial power.
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