The Defeat of the Spanish Armada Philip II launched the famed Spanish Armada against England in the Spring of 1588. The Armada was a mighty fleet of 130 ships bearing 25,000 sailors and soldiers under the command of the duke of Medina-Sidonia. The main reason that Philip attacked England was because English Queen Elizabeth I had beheaded Mary, Queen of Scots. The reason that Elizabeth killed Mary was that Mary was conspiring against Elizabeth in a murder attempt. …showed first 75 words of 461 total…

…showed last 75 words of 461 total…part in their navy's prominence. By the time of Philip's death, Spain was on full decline. His forces had been rebuffed on all fronts and other countries were starting to gain more power. When Elizabeth died, England was a growing power full of wealth. England's navy was growing, and the country was about to emerge as the new world leader. The defeat of the Spanish Armada was a turning point in history for Western Europe.