The Spanish Armada was plagued by poor leadership and decision-making from the start. The commander of the fleet, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, was inexperienced and indecisive. He failed to take decisive action when he had the chance and allowed the English to gain the upper hand.
2. Lack of preparation and training:
The Spanish Armada was not well-prepared or trained for the task at hand. The ships were old and poorly maintained, and the crews were inexperienced and undisciplined. The Spanish also underestimated the strength of the English navy and failed to take into account the advantages of the English ships.
3. Bad weather and misfortune:
The Spanish Armada was also unlucky with the weather. A series of storms damaged the ships and caused them to lose their formation. The English were able to take advantage of this and attack the Spanish ships piecemeal.
4. Lack of flexibility:
The Spanish Armada was too rigid in its tactics and failed to adapt to the changing circumstances of the battle. The English were able to use their superior maneuverability to outmaneuver the Spanish ships and attack them from unexpected angles.
5. Lack of naval support:
The Spanish Armada was not adequately supported by the rest of the Spanish navy. The Spanish galleys were too slow and ineffective to be of much use against the English ships, and the Spanish treasure fleet was too valuable to risk in battle.
6. Lack of air support:
The Spanish Armada did not have any air support, while the English had a small fleet of ships equipped with guns that could fire from a distance. This gave the English a significant advantage in the battle.
7. Underestimating the English:
The Spanish Armada underestimated the strength and determination of the English navy. The English were able to put up a fierce resistance and inflict heavy damage on the Spanish ships.
8. Lack of a clear strategy:
The Spanish Armada lacked a clear strategy for defeating the English navy. The Spanish ships were scattered and disorganized, and they failed to coordinate their attacks effectively.
9. Lack of communication:
The Spanish Armada had poor communication between its ships, which made it difficult for them to coordinate their efforts. The English were able to take advantage of this and attack the Spanish ships individually.
10. Lack of coordination:
The Spanish Armada lacked coordination between its different units. The ships were not able to work together effectively, and they often got in each other's way.