The Falklands

May 4

Air-launched missile destroyed British warship HMS SHEFFIELD

May 2

British submarine sank Argentine battleship General Belgrano causing heavy loss of life. Controversial; ship was heading away from battle zone at the time

What happened?

By the 1970s the Falklands no longer had much strategic importance and officials were prepared to negotiate with Argentina over the future of the Islands. 1982 - Lord Carrington + John Nott approved withdrawal of HMS ENDURANCE, leaving south atlantic without any British Naval presence. The Argentine Junta took this as Britain willing to let the Falklands go. General Galtieri sent an invasion force, claiming Argentine sovereignty.

Why did Lord Carrington resign~?

He advised against pulling out ENDURANCE but was overruled.

Thatchers response-

Immediate announcement that a naval task force would be sent to remove Argentine forces and assert the right of the Islanders to self-determination

Public response to Thatcher=

patriotic mood took people by surprise American news - 'The empire strikes back'