Final answer:
Spain sent the Spanish Armada to invade Britain in 1588, which was ultimately defeated by the English navy, aided by severe storms. This defeat played a crucial role in establishing England's naval dominance and marked the decline of Spain as a European superpower.
Step-by-step explanation:
The country that sent an armada to invade Britain in 1588 was Spain. This event is commonly referred to as the Spanish Armada, which was a massive naval fleet sent by King Philip II of Spain to overthrow Protestant England and its queen, Elizabeth I. The English navy, although having fewer ships than the Spanish, were more maneuverable which allowed them to effectively engage the Spanish fleet. The decisive factor, however, was a series of severe storms known as the "Protestant wind" which aided in scattering the Armada, leading to the Spanish defeat.
English naval leaders such as Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake led defense efforts against the Armada. Not only did this battle assert England's dominance on the seas, but it also marked a significant turning point for English colonial expansion and the eventual decline of Spanish influence as a major European power. Thus, the defeat of the Spanish Armada had profound implications for the course of world history, securing English Protestantism and paving the way for England's future colonial endeavors.