Source Analysis: Why was the Spanish Armada defeated in 1588?

This outstanding lesson has been designed and field tested by experienced history teachers who are at the cutting edge of the skills which underscore our subject. Spanish Armada is a topic which is all too often rushed and not given the attention that it deserves, yet it is every bit as important as the Battle of Britain or the Norman Conquest. If those brave Elizabethan seamen, backed up with cutting edge technology and skillful leadership based upon merit rather than NOability had not fought off the invading Spanish Armada, then our island history would have been very different. Then again, maybe fate stepped in to save the day As the inscription on the Armada medal, issued by Elizabeth I in 1588 said: ‘God blew his wind, and they were scattered.’

This lesson has been designed for students with a middle to high ability reading ability. I have produced several different versions of this resource including a Card Sort, Market Place Activity and a Diamond 9 Activity, which can be purchased separately or in a very cost effective bundle which will allow you to differentiate across your low, ,middle and higher ability groups.

When you purchase this resource you will be able to download a two page Word document and a separate 24 slide PowerPoint. The worksheet includes aims, instructions, three heading cards which are labelled ‘Luck’, ‘English Tactics’ and ‘Spanish Mistakes’ as well as fifteen primary and secondary sources which can be cut up by students and sorted or used as a worksheet. The PowerPoint includes, aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, starters, plenaries, information slides, historical sources, writing frames, video clips, templates, tasks and activities to help support the lesson. Please see the detailed preview for more information:

The aims and objectives for this lesson are:

Theme: Elizabethan England
Know: What happened to the Spanish Armada in 1588?
Understand: Why was the Spanish Armada defeated in 1588?
Evaluate: What was the most important reason?
Skills: Source Analysis, Cause, Consequence, Significance & Collaboration

WILF – What Am I Looking For?
Identify & describe: What happened to the Spanish Armada in 1588?
Explain: Why was the Spanish Armada defeated in 1588?
Analyse: What was the most important reason?

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Kind Regards

Roy