Falklands War

The Falkland Islands History: Causes of the Falklands War

The territory of the Falklands has long been disputed since it was first colonised in the eighteenth century. Let's look at a brief timeline to show the claims made to the Islands.

The junta that assumed control of Argentina in 1976 responded to the economic crisis and political unrest in the country by attempting to appeal to the population whilst running its bloody regime of mass genocide. They believed that reclaiming the Falklands would appeal to nationalist sentiment and unite an increasingly divided public behind the government, leading to the 1982 invasion.

Since Britain reasserted its sovereignty in 1833, the majority of the Falkland Islands' population has been of British descent. When Argentina sought to claim sovereignty in the mid-twentieth century, the islanders considered themselves British and did not want to be under Argentina's rule.

Attempts at diplomacy between Argentina and Britain

In 1965, the United Nations had called upon Argentina and the United Kingdom to reach a settlement on the sovereignty dispute.

• The UK regarded the islands as a nuisance and a barrier to UK trade in South America. Therefore, while confident in British sovereignty, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was prepared to concede the islands to Argentina.

• When news of a proposed transfer broke in 1968, those sympathetic to the islanders who wanted to remain under British rule were able to organise an influential Parliamentary lobby to frustrate the UK's plans.

• Negotiations continued but failed to make meaningful progress. The islanders steadfastly refused to consider Argentine sovereignty on one side, whilst Argentina would not compromise on the other.

• A Communications Agreement signed in 1971 created an airline, and later, YPF, the Argentine oil company, was given a monopoly in the islands.

• In 1980, a new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nicholas Ridley, went to the Falklands trying to sell the islanders the benefits of a leaseback scheme, which was met with strong opposition from the islanders. The scheme would grant Argentina sovereignty of the Falklands but the UK would 'lease' the islands from Argentina either indefinitely or for a long time period, say 100 years. On returning to London in December 1980 he reported to parliament his leaseback plans but was viciously attacked at what was seen as a sellout. At a private committee meeting that evening, it was reported that Ridley cried out:

The United Nations Security Council

How did the United Nations respond to tensions in the Falklands?

• On 1 April, London told the UK ambassador to the UN, Sir Anthony Parsons, that an invasion was imminent and he should call an urgent meeting of the Security Council to get a favourable resolution against Argentina.

• The meeting took place on 3 April, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 502 was adopted ten to one (Panama voted against) and four abstentions (refusal to vote). Significantly, the Soviet Union and China both abstained.

• Resolution 502 stated that Argentina must withdraw from the Falkland Islands and reach a diplomatic solution to their differences.

• Article 51 of the UN Charter states that if peaceful negotiations are unsuccessful following an armed attack on a member of the UN, the attacked nation can legally engage in warfare through self-defence. Essentially, as Resolution 502 did not stop Argentina, the UK could go to war over the Falklands.

Key battles and Events in the Falklands War

Fig. 2 - Argentinian Marines invaded the Falklands on 2 April 1982 beginning a war with Britain over control of the islands.

The British Task Force set sail on 5 April and consisted of 100 ships carrying marines and military equipment. The Atlantic crossing was around 8000 miles, and the UK territory of Ascension Island acted as a halfway post for ships sailing toward the Falklands.

Let's look at some of the key events during the Falklands War before and after the arrival of the Task Force.

The Royal Navy and the Falklands War

The Royal Navy was an integral part of the British win in the Falklands War. Let's look at some key facts that helped the Navy:

• On 26 March, the submarine HMS Superb left Gibraltar and the press reported she was heading south. There has since been speculation that the effect of those reports was to panic the Argentine junta into invading the Falklands before nuclear-powered submarines could be deployed.

• The Royal Navy has always been a strong arm of the British Forces. The Task Force sent by Margaret Thatcher on 5 April 1982 consisted of 127 ships to aid the war. Over 25,000 British military personnel were dispatched to the Falklands to fight roughly 10,000 Argentinian troops, most of which were conscripts with limited experience.

• Despite the Falklands being over 8000 miles from Britain, the war lasted 74 days due to the quick response of the Navy from Portsmouth.

• Argentina had expected the United States to remain neutral during the conflict, however as UN talks were unproductive, the US provided the Royal Navy with essential supplies of communication and military equipment, missiles and fuel to aid the war effort.

The Aftermath of the Falklands War

The Falklands War left around 650 Argentinian and 255 British people dead. Hundreds more were injured on both sides.

• The burns suffered by troops became some of the most recognizable images of the conflict.

• Britain captured around 11,000 Argentine prisoners, all of whom were freed when the fighting finished.

• The conflict received widespread popular support in Britain, possibly because the opening years of the 1980s had been characterised by bad news: economic recession, a decline in industry, and - arguably - declining influence on the world stage. The victory became a defining moment for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's office.

Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands War

Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in 1979 following a defeat of James Callaghan's Labour government. Her first term as Prime Minister made her very unpopular in Britain.

• When Thatcher came to power, she reduced government spending through privatisation of state-owned industries and a reduction of spending on social services such as education and health care. This proved very unpopular as unemployment rates doubled in the first two years of her prime ministership.

• When the Falklands War began in 1982, Thatcher was tested in other areas besides her handling of the British economy.

• On 27 March 1982, Thatcher held a crisis meeting about the imminent Argentine invasion of the Falklands where she was advised to deploy a task force.

• Margaret Thatcher rose in popularity in the UK for her military decisions and success during the War. The Conservatives won a landslide victory in the following general election in 1983, the most convincing election outcome since 1945.

Fig. 3 - Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan met at the Oval Office in 1988. The US' support during the Falklands War was integral for British supplies. Thatcher remained in office as Prime Minister until 1990 following popularity after the Falklands.

In a speech in Cheltenham, Thatcher said: