Falkland IslandsA Fascinating Intro into the Causes, Practices, and

Effects of War

Omar KalashMubarik Mohamed

Underlying Causes

Immediate Causes Nationalism… Prior to 1982 most British would not have been

able to find the Falklands on a map, Argentines, from childhood, learn about Las Malvinas

General Leopoldo Galtieri (attained power of Argentina in 1980) held the issue of the Falklands highly important› Probably to get people mind off political repression and sour

economy… invasion brought regime some short term popularity Mainly due to Britain's’ seeming disinterest in the islands

international opinion swayed towards the side of the Argentines› United States› Soviet Union (desired supplies)› Other countries controlled by right wing leaders in Central Americas

Invasion timed when most fleets were home for Easter

Key Strategies On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces landed

in the Falklands, capturing the islands two days later.

In response, the British dispatched a naval and amphibious task force to the area.

The initial phases of the conflict occurred mainly at sea between the Royal Navy and the Argentine Air Force with the first shots being on the seas

Key Strategies, cont. However, on May 21, British troops

landed on the Falkland Islands and the conflict switched over to land as well.

Initial fight on land was in East Falkland, and then switched over to West Falkland as British captured territory

By June 14, the British troops forced the Argentine occupiers to surrender

Major theatres of war, land San Carlos – initial attack

› Goose Green, major› Mount Kent, Special forces used› Bluff Cove, air attacks› Stanley, naval brigade

Sandwich Islands

Major Theatres of war, air +water

Mainly in San Carlos and Sandwich Islands as support for land troops

Decisive Battles On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces landed

in the Falklands, capturing the islands two days later.

In response, the British dispatched a naval and amphibious task force to the area.

The initial phases of the conflict occurred mainly at sea between the Royal Navy and the Argentine Air Force with the first shots being on the seas

Decisive Battles, cont. However, on May 21, British troops landed on the San

Carlos Water in East Falkland and the conflict switched over to land.

Although ships supporting the landing were hit hard, allowed put 4,000 troops on shore

By the end of May, British secured East Falkland with wins in Goose Green, Mount Kent and Fitzroy, and planned to move on to West Falkland

Final assault on Port Stanley on June 11 (West Falkland) Simultaneous attacks on the high ground surrounding the

town. By June 14, the British troops forced the Argentine

occupiers to surrender as they had effectively cut the Argentines lines of defense

Weapons British had the superior weapons Used were several groups of Air Craft

carriers, Sea Harrier jet fighters, a large fleet of tankers and cargo ships to supply the fleet

Argentines Boeing 707 (Commercial Jet liner),

Light cruisers, submarines, and fixed wing aircrafts

Peace Treaties No change in the condition of the

islands therefore there were no official peace treaties

Long Term Impact of the Conflict

Diplomatic relations between UK and Argentina was not restored until 1989 talks were promised

Long Term Impact of the Conflict, Argentina

Anger by Argentines led to protests over, and removal of, the Galtieri gov’t

"Malvinas Spirit“ – Argentine recovery of their nationals identity

Long Term Impact of the Conflict, The Falkland Islands

Soon after war the islanders were granted full British citizenship

UK military investment led to a more stable economy

Long Term Impact of the Conflict, United Kingdom

A surge in popularity for the conservative government soon after war

"Falklands Factor“ – in a period where Britain's international role they used war to create a new sense of pride

Helped relationship between US and UK

Long Term Impact of the Conflict, US + Latin America

The war damaged US popularity in the region… What the heck, man

Led to a peace treaty between Chile and Argentina

Bibliography Freedman, Lawrence. "The War of the

Falkland Islands, 1982." Forein Affairs 61.1 (1982): 196-210. Print.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/457000/457033/html/

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes_falklands_war_1982.htm

http://www.yendor.com/vanished/falklands-war.html