The naval power and political struggle between England and Spain before the Spanish Armada were shaped by several factors, including religious differences, territorial disputes, economic competition, and strategic interests.

In the late 16th century, Spain was the dominant naval power in Europe, with a vast overseas empire that included the Americas, parts of Asia, and the Philippines. England, on the other hand, was a relatively small island nation, but it had a strong navy and was expanding its own overseas trade and colonial interests.

One of the main sources of tension between England and Spain was religion. England had broken away from the Roman Catholic Church during the reign of Henry VIII and had become a Protestant nation, while Spain remained staunchly Catholic. This religious divide led to suspicions and mistrust between the two countries, and Spain saw England as a potential threat to the Catholic faith.

Another source of conflict was territorial disputes. England had long-standing claims to parts of France and the Netherlands, which were both under Spanish control at the time. Additionally, English privateers were attacking Spanish treasure ships in the Caribbean, disrupting Spain's economy and its ability to fund its military campaigns.

In response to these challenges, Spain under the leadership of King Philip II began to build up its naval forces and launch military expeditions against England. The most famous of these was the Spanish Armada, which was launched in 1588 and intended to invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I.

King Philip II of Spain decided to build the Armada in response to a series of conflicts and tensions between Spain and England, including religious differences, territorial disputes, and English piracy against Spanish treasure ships.

Philip saw the Armada as a way to assert Spanish dominance in Europe, establish control over the English Channel, and invade England. The Armada was composed of 130 ships, including galleons, warships, and transports, and carried over 30,000 soldiers, sailors, and marines. It was commanded by the Duke of Medina-Sidonia.

The strategic plan of the Armada was to sail up the English Channel, link up with a Spanish army in the Netherlands, and then invade England from the north. However, the English navy, led by Sir Francis Drake and Lord Howard of Effingham, launched a surprise attack on the Armada while it was anchored off the coast of Calais.

The English used their smaller, more maneuverable ships to outmaneuver the larger Spanish vessels, and they employed a tactic called "fire-ships," which involved setting unmanned vessels ablaze and sending them towards the Spanish fleet. This caused chaos and confusion among the Spanish ships, and several were forced to cut their anchor cables and drift out to sea.

The English then launched a series of attacks on the retreating Spanish fleet, causing significant damage and sinking several ships. The Spanish were also hit by severe storms as they attempted to sail back to Spain, resulting in further losses.

The English response to the Armada attack was one of celebration and relief. Queen Elizabeth I made a famous speech at Tilbury, praising the bravery of the English navy and declaring, "I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too."

The defeat of the Spanish Armada marked a turning point in European history, demonstrating the rising power of England and the limitations of Spain's military might. It also had important long-term consequences for the balance of power in Europe and the development of naval technology and tactics.

Overall, the naval power and political struggle between England and Spain before the Spanish Armada were shaped by a complex mix of factors, including religion, territorial disputes, economic competition, and strategic interests. These tensions would continue to play out over the next several centuries, as both countries vied for dominance on the world stage.