Introduction / Context:
In late sixteenth century European history, one of the most dramatic episodes was the attempt by Philip II of Spain to invade England by sea. He assembled a massive fleet to overthrow the Protestant queen Elizabeth I and restore Catholic influence. This fleet sailed into the English Channel but was ultimately defeated by English naval tactics and severe storms. The question asks what name is commonly given to this large naval expedition in standard general knowledge references.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question mentions a big naval expedition sent by Philip II against England.
- It refers to a specific historical fleet.
- The options list several possible names for fleets, some real and some invented or less accurate.
- The learner is expected to know the phrase most associated with this particular Spanish invasion attempt.
Concept / Approach:
The famous fleet that Philip II sent against England is commonly known as the Spanish Armada. It sailed in 1588 and suffered defeat from English naval forces and rough weather in the North Sea. Some sources also use the term Invincible Armada, often as a nickname, but in school level general knowledge questions, the simple phrase Spanish Armada is normally used as the standard answer. Therefore, the approach is to select Spanish Armada as the correct option, while treating other names as distractors or less common labels.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the key details: Philip II of Spain, a big naval expedition, and an attempt to attack England in the sixteenth century.
2. Recall that in 1588 the Spanish Armada sailed against England and was famously defeated.
3. Review the options and look for the name Spanish Armada, which is widely used in textbooks and quiz books.
4. Recognise that the other names, such as Great Northern Fleet, Holy League Fleet, or Mediterranean Squadron, do not match the standard term used for this expedition.
5. Choose Spanish Armada as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, learners can think about how the event is presented in school history chapters on the rise of England as a naval power. These chapters almost always refer to the Spanish fleet as the Spanish Armada and describe its defeat as a turning point in European power politics. While some sources may mention Invincible Armada as a nickname used by the Spanish, general knowledge questions usually expect the simpler and more famous phrase Spanish Armada. This consistency across texts confirms that Spanish Armada is the correct choice for exam purposes.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Great Northern Fleet does not refer to the 1588 invasion attempt and is not a standard term in this context.
Invincible Armada is sometimes used as a descriptive phrase but is less often given as the formal name in basic general knowledge questions; Spanish Armada is the more direct and widely accepted label.
Holy League Fleet relates to different alliances against the Ottoman Empire in other naval battles, not to the Spanish attack on England.
Mediterranean Squadron is a generic phrase and not the established name for Philip II 1588 expedition against England.
Common Pitfalls:
Some students may be attracted to the phrase Invincible Armada because it sounds dramatic and was indeed used historically. However, in objective questions the safest and most widely accepted answer is Spanish Armada. Others may mix up different fleets and alliances from various European wars. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to remember the simple pair Spanish Armada 1588 as the standard reference for the failed Spanish naval invasion of England under Philip II. This memory makes it easy to select the correct option quickly in exams.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
Spanish Armada.
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