Final answer:
The Spanish Armada was a fleet dispatched by King Philip II of Spain in 1588 to conquer England, but it faced decisive defeat due to British naval prowess and severe storms.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1588, King Philip II of Spain sent a great fleet called the Spanish Armada toward England. This massive naval force was organized to overthrow English power, end Protestantism, and restore Catholic dominance in Europe.
Unfortunately for Spain, the Armada faced defeat due to various factors, including the superior maneuverability of the English navy, led by Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake, as well as treacherous weather conditions infamously referred to as the "Protestant wind." Most of the Spanish fleet was decimated by storms during its retreat, enabling England to rise as a foremost naval power and paving the way for its colonization efforts in the Americas.