Question

Why did England begin to see Spain as a threat

Answer 1

Years of religious and political differences led up to the conflict between Catholic Spain and Protestant England. The Spanish saw England as a competitor in trade and expansion in the 'New World' of the Americas. ... English sailors deliberately targeted Spanish shipping around Europe and the Atlantic.

Answer 2

Spain was a Catholic country and England a Protestant country – meaning that the two rulers had conflicting spiritual outlooks. ... Elizabeth secretly supported the Dutch rebels because she knew the Dutch revolt would keep the Spanish too busy to threaten England.