Female Leaders - Tackling Problems - Yashvi Sadarangani C12M HI 8108
Female leaders in the past have always had a hard time because of the beliefs of others, women had not been treated equally and have had to prove themselves as capable as men. Elizabeth I was one of the female leaders who proved people wrong by successfully ruling England from 1558 to 1603. Although, Elizabeth faced many problems during the period of which she ruled; Image, Marriage, Religion and Foreign Invasion. This essay will look into how Elizabeth I tackled the complications during her time on the throne.
Elizabeth maintained a powerful image to society by having her portraits depicted with indirect messages in them. For example, the portrait below contains several ideas
…show more content…
Philip II was angry at Elizabeth because she refused to marry him and she beheaded Mary Queen of Scots (his wife and Elizabeth’s half-sister). Philip wanted to marry Elizabeth because it would increase his power. For those reasons, and more, England and Spain went to war. The English prepared well for this war as it determined their future. The English had almost half of the ships the Spanish had, although, they had skillful tactics. They used a particular strategy called ‘Fire Ships’ which was when they set one of their boats on fire and sail it towards the Spanish. This technique disrupted the Spanish ship formation and made them weaker. Elizabeth also chose a skilled and confident leader: Sir Francis Drake. The Spanish didn’t plan well at all; their leader was The Duke of Medina Sidonia, who was a completely inexperienced sailor. Also, when the English ships were docked in Plymouth, the Spanish had a perfect chance to destroy them but chose not to. The Spanish also had the weather against them; at one point, their ships were stuck in a tide. After England defeated Spain, Elizabeth said this at the Tilbury Speech to the Troops: “I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a