Privateers from attacked spanish ships and colonies during the late 1500s in order to destabilize spain's new world empire.

 ENGLAND

The "privateers" were privately owned ships and ship captains.  But they had the approval and support of the English government under Queen Elizabeth I (who ruled England from 1558-1603).   If they were operating without a government's support, we'd simply call them pirates.  But their acts of piracy against the Spanish were part of an overall campaign of England against rival Spain.  But since they were "privateers" and not technically in the government's employ, Elizabeth's government could always maintain some denial of responsibility for their actions.  Some famous names among the English privateers were Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh.

The answer is England.

Explanation:

The "privateers" were exclusive ships and ship skippers. In any case, they had the endorsement and support of the English government under Queen Elizabeth I (who ruled England from 1558-1603). On the off chance that they were working without an administration's help, we'd just call them privateers. Be that as it may, their demonstrations of robbery against the Spanish were a piece of a general battle of England against adversary Spain. Be that as it may, since they were "privateers" and not in fact in the administration's utilize, Elizabeth's legislature could simply keep up some disavowal of duty regarding their activities. Some acclaimed names among the English privateers were Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh

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