A main reason as to why I would agree that political rivalry with Spain was the main reason for direct involvement in the Netherlands was because of the Spanish threat of invasion. The catholic plots on Elizabeth saw how much Philip II of Spain saw Elizabeth as a threat and as an up and coming rival. However, Spain at the time where the imperial rulers of the world and Elizabeth stood a little chance at beating Spain in a war if they had planned correctly. Elizabeth saw Spain’s attempt to gain full control of the Netherlands as one step towards trying to invade England. This convinced Elizabeth to sign the treaty of Nonsuch in 1885. Overall, Netherlands was a stepping stone for the Spanish invasion of England and showed how the political rivalry was the main reason for direct involvement. However, there are reasons for disagreement of the statement that says political rivalry with Spain was the main reason due to the religious differences across Europe. At the time of Elizabeth’s reign, she was surrounded by catholics in England (the north) and Scotland. There was also catholic countries who supported many of the plots against Elizabeth like France and Spain. Elizabeth wanted to have as many of her Protestant allies around her to be protected to have allies in Western Europe. The people in the Netherlands were mainly protestant and the Spanish had tried to wipe out a majority of the Dutch protestants like the events of the Spanish fury did. These events convinced Elizabeth to help her fellow protestants and stop the spread of catholicism which shows how the political rivalry between Spain was not the main reason for direct involvement. Another reason why I strongly agree with the statement that political rivalry with Spain was he main reason for direct English involvement in the Netherlands was because of the commercial rivalry between England and Spain. Spain was the imperial power of the world in the 1500s and they had colonies in South America and trade with countries all around the world. Elizabeth also wanted England to have colonies that traded all around the globe to compete with Spain. This meant that England had to maximise their trade with countries across Europe. This meant that Elizabeth needed to keep Netherlands as an ally to England because they needed to have access to the Dutch harbours in order for them to trade with the rest of Europe so Elizabeth was convinced to send troops to the Netherlands. This politicial rivalry in trade shows how the political rivalry with Spain was the main reason for direct English involvement in the Netherlands. Overall, I strongly agree with the statement that political rivalry with Spain was the main reason for direct English involvement in the Netherlands in the years 1585-1588 because of the commercial rivalry between England and Spain. People might disagree with the statement due to Elizabeth’s interests in retaining protestant allies close across the English channel. However, the threat of Spanish invasion reinforces the reason why political rivalry with Spain was the main reason.