The Falklands War
In 1982 the Falklands, a collection of islands in the South Atlantic ocean, became the target of an invasion by Argentina, and then the location of a war between Argentina and Britain. The result had long lasting political implications for both countries.
On the other hand Argentina claimed the islands through a history of connections. Here’s a summary:
The Falkland Islands had been discovered by European sailors at the end of the sixteenth century, although – as with most things about the Falklands – there is debate about who found it first. It may have been a Spanish ship – whose name is lost – in the 1540s. It may have been Englishman John Davis in 1592, it may have been another Englishman called Richard Hawkins in 1594, but Holland’s Sebald de Weerdt was definitely there in 1600. There then followed fifty years of naval visits, before the first settlement - by the French - in 1764; a British settlement was started in 1765. Over the next few years Spain purchased the French settlement and fought with the British. In 1774 the British decided to retreat, before the Spanish also left.
When South America threw off Spanish rule, the government in Buenos Aires believed they retained the Spanish claim on the islands, and a settlement was created in 1826.
This declined, and was partially destroyed by US actions, and in 1883 Britain decided to reactivate its own settlement, and a new one was begun which took over the islands from the South Americans, many of whom were expelled. This British settlement carried on, without interruption, until 1982.
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century, Argentina maintained their claim on the islands and after World War 2 pursued the matter through the United Nations, and in 1965 Resolution 2065 called for Britain and Argentina to negotiate. At times it looked like Britain might consider surrendering control over the islands: the Foreign Office appears to have concluded early on that they should be handed over, and in 1979 a British Foreign Secretary developed a lease-back plan, with Argentina gaining sovereignty and Britain running the day to day, but British politicians rejected it.
A coup in 1976 put Argentina under military rule and further complicated the issue, but Britain had proved able to deal with South American dictatorships elsewhere. However, the message that came through from the islanders was that they wished to remain British, albeit with a revised constitution which gave them more power. However, the British leaning islanders had been developing diplomatic links with Argentina – such as trade through LADE and education – and were warming to them. Had there been no war, those links may have developed to the point of a diplomatic shift. Relations between Argentina and Britain were good, with investments and a class of Argentinians educated in Britain, but the Falklands remained a sore point.
More on European Claims to the Falkland Islands
In 1982 this government decided to break with this policy of negotiation, as they were in desperate need of a morale boosting, nation uniting event which would distract from their economic failures and numerous human rights abuses. This was to be the seizure of the Falklands by force. The Junta had reasons for thinking that British resolve over the islands was weak: as well as the Foreign Affairs section of the government seemingly ready to hand them over, Britain was seen to be reducing its navy, especially after withdrawing an intelligence gathering vessel devoted to the South Atlantic, and there were rumours of scrapping the marines. Other government departments in Britain were also deemed to be giving the Falkland Islands the cold shoulder. To many in the world, let alone Argentina, Britain seemed on the verge of abandoning the islands, or at least being unwilling to fight to keep them.
The main invasion force – comprised of marines and the Buzo Tactico special forces - was then deployed, and on April 2nd they landed, quickly seizing the islands from the small population and even smaller British garrison. Despite facing armed opposition, the Argentine troops were ordered not to kill any British civilians. The Falkland’s governor, Hunt, had been informed the attack was coming thanks to intelligence, and had a few hours to prepare. He organised a defence with what he had: 68 marines, 25 Local Defence Force men, and 11 sailors. The defenders caused damage but ran short of ammo, were surrounded by heavier weapons, and were ordered to surrender. The exact death toll is uncertain, but around 25 Argentineans may have been killed. However, as none of the British were dead the capture was claimed to have been achieved ‘without bloodshed.’
Nearby island groups were also seized, and the captured British troops were quickly deported back to the mainland, while a governor was put in charge of the civilian population, who some Argentinean soldiers were disappointed to find didn’t welcome them. A set of rules were issued, and the Argentines consolidated. By the end of the month a ten thousand strong force was in place. However, three quarters were conscripts with poor training. Initially, there was some support in Argentina for the invasion, as there was among other South American nations with the exception of Chile, and this local tension caused Argentina’s elite forces to remain at home to defend the border.
Causes of the War
In the late twentieth century, both Britain and Argentina claimed the Falkland Islands as their own. Britain’s claim was twofold: they had been in possession of the islands for over a century and, more importantly, the residents of the islands overwhelmingly wished to be British.On the other hand Argentina claimed the islands through a history of connections. Here’s a summary:
The Falkland Islands had been discovered by European sailors at the end of the sixteenth century, although – as with most things about the Falklands – there is debate about who found it first. It may have been a Spanish ship – whose name is lost – in the 1540s. It may have been Englishman John Davis in 1592, it may have been another Englishman called Richard Hawkins in 1594, but Holland’s Sebald de Weerdt was definitely there in 1600. There then followed fifty years of naval visits, before the first settlement - by the French - in 1764; a British settlement was started in 1765. Over the next few years Spain purchased the French settlement and fought with the British. In 1774 the British decided to retreat, before the Spanish also left.
When South America threw off Spanish rule, the government in Buenos Aires believed they retained the Spanish claim on the islands, and a settlement was created in 1826.
This declined, and was partially destroyed by US actions, and in 1883 Britain decided to reactivate its own settlement, and a new one was begun which took over the islands from the South Americans, many of whom were expelled. This British settlement carried on, without interruption, until 1982.
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century, Argentina maintained their claim on the islands and after World War 2 pursued the matter through the United Nations, and in 1965 Resolution 2065 called for Britain and Argentina to negotiate. At times it looked like Britain might consider surrendering control over the islands: the Foreign Office appears to have concluded early on that they should be handed over, and in 1979 a British Foreign Secretary developed a lease-back plan, with Argentina gaining sovereignty and Britain running the day to day, but British politicians rejected it.
A coup in 1976 put Argentina under military rule and further complicated the issue, but Britain had proved able to deal with South American dictatorships elsewhere. However, the message that came through from the islanders was that they wished to remain British, albeit with a revised constitution which gave them more power. However, the British leaning islanders had been developing diplomatic links with Argentina – such as trade through LADE and education – and were warming to them. Had there been no war, those links may have developed to the point of a diplomatic shift. Relations between Argentina and Britain were good, with investments and a class of Argentinians educated in Britain, but the Falklands remained a sore point.
More on European Claims to the Falkland Islands
The Trigger
In 1981, the Junta in charge of Argentina changed. General and President Galtieri took over, but he was in the thrall of Admiral Anaya, a man who, thanks to time spent in the UK, literally hated the British. He wished to conquer the Falkland Islands, and maybe all British interests in the region. Brigadier Lami Dozo of the air force rounded out the trio.In 1982 this government decided to break with this policy of negotiation, as they were in desperate need of a morale boosting, nation uniting event which would distract from their economic failures and numerous human rights abuses. This was to be the seizure of the Falklands by force. The Junta had reasons for thinking that British resolve over the islands was weak: as well as the Foreign Affairs section of the government seemingly ready to hand them over, Britain was seen to be reducing its navy, especially after withdrawing an intelligence gathering vessel devoted to the South Atlantic, and there were rumours of scrapping the marines. Other government departments in Britain were also deemed to be giving the Falkland Islands the cold shoulder. To many in the world, let alone Argentina, Britain seemed on the verge of abandoning the islands, or at least being unwilling to fight to keep them.
The Plan
In December 1981, planning for the conquest of the Falkland Islands went ahead in Argentina. By March 1982, the plan called for Argentina’s biggest warships, 3000 marines, Special Forces, and heavy air support, aiming at a mid-May to June attack. There was a second plan, to capture South Georgia, which was 700 miles from the Falklands, and in December 1981 a scrap metal dealer called Davidoff and 41 workers landed on the island, thanks to a lift from the Argentine navy. They ignored the British, and then left. The act was designed to see what Britain would do, and they responded by sending back the ship they’d just withdrawn.Argentine Invasion
On March 19th 1982, a group of Argentine scrap metal workers returned, followed by Argentinian marines and captured South Georgia. Argentine’s Junta, looking at their Falklands plan and fearing that Britain was about to reinforce the island, decided to go ahead as soon as possible. The result was, on March 28th, Task Force 40 heading to the islands. Instead of the original plan, it consisted of 900 troops, and a small naval force.The main invasion force – comprised of marines and the Buzo Tactico special forces - was then deployed, and on April 2nd they landed, quickly seizing the islands from the small population and even smaller British garrison. Despite facing armed opposition, the Argentine troops were ordered not to kill any British civilians. The Falkland’s governor, Hunt, had been informed the attack was coming thanks to intelligence, and had a few hours to prepare. He organised a defence with what he had: 68 marines, 25 Local Defence Force men, and 11 sailors. The defenders caused damage but ran short of ammo, were surrounded by heavier weapons, and were ordered to surrender. The exact death toll is uncertain, but around 25 Argentineans may have been killed. However, as none of the British were dead the capture was claimed to have been achieved ‘without bloodshed.’
Nearby island groups were also seized, and the captured British troops were quickly deported back to the mainland, while a governor was put in charge of the civilian population, who some Argentinean soldiers were disappointed to find didn’t welcome them. A set of rules were issued, and the Argentines consolidated. By the end of the month a ten thousand strong force was in place. However, three quarters were conscripts with poor training. Initially, there was some support in Argentina for the invasion, as there was among other South American nations with the exception of Chile, and this local tension caused Argentina’s elite forces to remain at home to defend the border.