The Falklands War
Resolution 502
was a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 3 April 1982. After expressing its concern at the invasion of the Falkland Islands by the armed forces of Argentina, the Council demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities between Argentina and the United Kingdom and a complete withdrawal by Argentine forces. The Council also called on the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to seek a diplomatic solution to the situation and refrain from further military action.
Why would Margaret Thatcher go to war over some useless islands? (
1. Because she was unpopular and a unified enemy would bring the people of Britain together to love her again. 2. She wanted to be strong, the iron lady. 3. They did have a historical claim to it 4. The actual naval leader was out on vacay and the temporary replacement was Henry Leech who made it seem excessively easy to get the islands back. 5. The ENTIRE navy convinced her to do it.
Short term causes of the Falkland War:
1. Economy. 2. Politics: 3. Communication (or rather lack thereof) 4. Press
Mistakes made by Leopoldo Galitari:
1. He did not think that the British would bother attempting to regain these islands as they had previously shown interest in giving them to Argentina, but they were ofc wrong. 2.
What were the two aircraft carriers that the entire British navy was built around? (2)
1. Hermes 2. Invinsible
Justification for Argentina wanting the falkland islands:
1. It was literally within their waters (sorta) 2. They wanted to reinstate the popularity of Leopoldo Galitari's military Junta. 3. Wanted to distract Argentina from their own economic difficulties and unrest within the nation by taking back the islands. 4.
Long Term Causes of the Falkland War
1. Legacy of colonialism and territorial claims. 1494: treaty of Tordesillas, decided what belonged to who in south america, Portugal VS Spain. and authenticated at Setúbal, Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Crown of Castile, 1816: Argentinian independance, no more spaniards. Also as Argentina and Britain were allies many British people went to live in Argentina, hence why the islands have so many inhabitants. 1820: Argentina claimed the Falkland islands 1828: First Argentinian settlement on the falkland islands. (capital: stanley port) 1833: British coolonization of the islands. (British didn't want USA to advance and grow in south america.) 1885: Currently 1800 British people living on the islands. 1964: The united nations got involved: Commisioned for decolonization (British empire falling apart.) Comittee for decolonization. They attempted to decolonise the British empire. 1977: Argentina played War games, they sent in ships around the islands for military "Practice". The british got mad and though that argentina wanted a war. (Sends a message, threatening anf tensions.)w 1979: The economy of Britain was doing badly and the PM of Britain: Margeret Thatcher wanted a little distraction. (so like every single other corrupt ass leader she wanted a unified enemy so the people could hate them and not her sorry ass.) 1981: General leopold Galiteri became Argentinas president (he started a military Junta which is a sort of dictatorship.) 1982: ...
The communication as a short term cause of the Falkland war:
1. Lord Carrington - Foreign secretary of Britain left as a result of the war as he thought it was his fault and that the war could have been prevented. 2. Pestering 3. Brinkmanship 4. Coup D'etat By Galiteri 5. Jorge Anya said that taking back the falkland islands would be easy.
The treaty of tordesillas
1. On june 7th 1494 2. a treaty where the spanish and the portoguese decided on who got what land from the south american continent. 3.
Galiteri's wrong assumptions (2)
1. That Britain would not fight to take the Falkland Islands. 2. That he was close to the American naval forces and he thought he would at least get some support form USA but USA and Brittain are way to close and USA thus supported Britain
When did the war end?
14th of June 1982
Course of the war (1982)
1982: March 19th: Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the U.K. (a scientific research post) April 2nd: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands, and claims soverignty of the Falk Land islands. April 3rd: The UN got involved, resolution 502 was formed, which asked Argentina to withdraw and stop the invasion. Britain created a task force, to 'help' Argentina withdraw. April 5th: British task force of more than 100 ships sets sail for Falklands, including aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible. Lord Carrington, the Foreign Secretary, resigns over the invasion and is replaced by Francis Pym. April 7th: MEZ
When did the war start?
2nd of april 1982
What was the whole task force for Britain? (5)
2x Aircraft carriers 5x Destroyers 1x nuclear submarine 11x frigates (smaller warships) multiple cruisers with Soldiers
Type of war?
A limited war. a war in which the weapons used, the nations or territory involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way, in particular one in which the use of nuclear weapons is avoided.
Politics as a short term cause of the Falkland war:
Britain: - MT very unpopular - MT also had no control over her own party - MT was nicknamed 'The iron lady' and wanted to prove her strength and resilience consistently - Before MT became prime minister the best idea was to hand back the islands, however, it never happened. Argentina: - oppressive - fascist - Army successfully united people and land
The economy as a short term cause of the Falkland war:
Britain: - Unemployment - Margeret Thatcher closed down mines, connected to politics as she became unpopular after that. - protests - higher economic issues than the great depression Argentina: - Military - Junta - 1976 (coup detat) - Fascist
Margaret Thatcher:
British Prime Minister; deigned economic policies to fight inflation through privatization, anti-union legislation, and higher taxation; combatted Argentina with lessened force
Brief background history of whom occupied the islands and when:
France, Spain, and Great Britain occupied the islands, and at one point it was unoccupied for 50 years. Argentina claimed the islands when they won independence, but the British were still present on the island and refused to let the South American country lay claim. They reaffirmed control in1883 and tension grew until war broke out in 1982
Countries involved:
Great Britain and Argentina
Purpose of the war:
Limited War; Objective was to gain control over the Falkland Islands. The war was intended to be a quick victory for the ruling government (Margaret Thatcher/Great Britain or Leopoldo Galitari/Argentina) and would gain popular support from the people of their respective countries.
The press as a short term cause of the Falkland war:
Margeret had no choice but to go ahead as it made her look better and the press would stop hating on her
Leopoldo Galitari:
Member and later leader of the military junta in Argentina and director of the dirty war; led the Argentinians to attack the British at the Falklands
Brinkmanship
Playing CHICKEN - they were waiting to see who would fold first. Threatening behaviour of pursuing a dangerous policies to the limits of safety before stopping, (especially in politics.)
Limited War (20th century)
That a limited amount of sources were used by both sides, ie. Argentina and Britain in the war. Because Britain would fold if the cost became to high, if the death toll started growing the people at home in england would turn on the war and on MT so she would foldas it wouldn't make her popular anymore. - UNLIKE total wars where the entire nations invested.
Brinkmanship
the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics or war.