Interpretations of Elizabeth I's Response to the Spanish Armada

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores contrasting interpretations of Elizabeth I's handling of the Spanish Armada, encouraging students to compare historian views and evaluate their credibility.

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Interpretations of Elizabeth I's Response to the Spanish Armada

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Contrasting Historian Interpretations of Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada

Historian A: John Guy – Political Perspective "John Guy emphasizes Elizabeth's strategic brilliance and political skill in defending England from the Armada. He argues that her leadership, morale-boosting speeches, and careful planning were crucial to England’s victory. Guy suggests that Elizabeth’s decision to prepare the navy and rally her troops demonstrated her effective leadership, which was essential in turning the tide against Spain. He views her response as a masterclass in political and military strategy that secured her reign and national security."

Historian B: Simon Adams – Social Perspective "Simon Adams focuses on the social impact of the Armada, highlighting how Elizabeth’s rallying of her people and the morale boost she provided contributed to national unity. He argues that her speeches and public displays of confidence inspired ordinary citizens and soldiers alike, creating a sense of shared purpose. Adams sees the victory as a reflection of Elizabeth’s ability to connect with her people and inspire collective patriotism, which was vital for the victory but also shaped her legacy as a unifying monarch."

B

Questions

1.
Summarize Historian A's view on Elizabeth's response to the Spanish Armada. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Summarize Historian B's perspective on the social impact of Elizabeth's response. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
3.
Compare the views of the two historians. Why do their perspectives differ? (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Which historian's view do you find more convincing? Explain your reasoning. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
5.
Outline one way Elizabeth’s leadership in the Armada response could be seen as having long-term effects on her reign. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
6.
Explain how the social perspective of Historian B adds to our understanding of Elizabeth’s victory. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
7.
Compare the strengths and limitations of each historian’s interpretation. (5 marks)
[5 marks]
8.
Why is it important to consider different historian perspectives when studying historical events like the Armada? (4 marks)
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet