This article will focus on the next conflict of the 20th century, namely the war for the Falkland Islands. This war was fought between Argentina and Great Britain in 1982. It lasted less than three months. Why did this happen and what made these countries fight among themselves? Read more below.
Backstory
At the end of the 17th century, the Falkland Islands, which are an archipelago, were discovered by European sailors, but due to their proximity to Argentina, this country has always considered them part of its territory. On the archipelago, consisting of two large and more than seven hundred small islands and rocks, there was no indigenous population, and over the years it has changed hands more than once. In the XVIII century, an English settlement was founded here, but during the American War of Independence, Britain was forced to leave these lands. In 1820, Argentine settlers arrived in the Falkland Islands. Great Britain took control of the islands in 1833, reclaiming their rights to these territories.
In the second half of the 20th century, Argentina took a number of diplomatic steps to eliminate the colonial status of the Falkland Islands. This country had claims to these territories and wished to extend its sovereignty to them. The issue of decolonization was considered at UN meetings, but was never resolved. The Falklands War of 1982 happened because of this unresolved dispute.
Who should own the islands?
The situation worsened in early 1982, when the head of the military junta that came to power in Argentina in 1979 decided to invade the Falkland Islands. The war began at a time when Argentina was going through far from the best of times. In this regard, the military regime of General Leopoldo G altieri made an attempt to take possession of the islands in order to divert the attention of the population from the internal problems of the country, as well as to strengthen national pride and rally the people against a common enemy, in this case Great Britain.
Capturing the islands by Argentina
Thus, on April 2, Argentine military units landed on the Falkland Islands, thereby unleashing the ensuing conflict. The capture of the islands, which were defended by some eighty British marines stationed at Port Stanley, took place without bloodshed. The British surrendered, and a new government was established in the Falklands, headed by the Argentine general Menendos. In this regard, the Falklands War took place, the reasons for which are that both conflicting parties claimed this territory.
The next day after the landing of Argentine troops on the Falkland Islands, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on the parties to the conflict to a peaceful settlement. Great Britain severed all diplomatic relations with Argentina and sent a military contingent to the region, whose task was to regain control over the Falkland Islands. Argentina, in turn, transferred additional troops there and announced the start of the call for reservists. Countries have imposed sanctions on each other. The Falklands War was brewing.
Conflict escalates
Great Britain immediately organized a special task force tasked with reclaiming the islands. On April 25, British troops, disembarked from warships who arrived in time, occupied the island of South Georgia, located less than 1300 km east of the Falklands. The next day, the UN Secretary General urged Britain to stop fighting, but the country rejected this recommendation. The Falklands War continued to flare up, the parties to the conflict pulled additional forces into the region.
April 30, Great Britain began a complete blockade of the islands by means of submarines and aircraft. England defined a combat zone with a diameter of 200 miles, which even civilian ships and aircraft were not recommended to enter. Argentine positions were hit, resulting in significant damage to aviation, airfields and otherinfrastructure.
Further course of the war. Defeat Argentina
On May 2, the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was sunk by the UK, killing 323 crew members. The international community was extremely outraged by this act, especially since at the time when the British submarine torpedoed the cruiser, it was outside the 200-mile zone established by Great Britain itself. The Argentine Navy was withdrawn to its bases and no longer participated in the conflict.
In the future, the main course of the Falklands War moved into the airspace. On June 12, Great Britain launched a massive attack on Port Stanley, in which Argentina concentrated its main forces. The Falklands War was at an end. British marines and paratroopers participated in this operation, and a powerful bombardment of the city was also carried out, which led to civilian casu alties.
After Port Stanley was finally surrounded by British troops, a ceasefire agreement was concluded between the parties to the conflict. Thus, on June 14, the Argentine troops capitulated and the British occupied the city. This ended the conflict, the Falkland Islands returned to British control.
Consequences and results
As a result of the Falklands War, Great Britain lost 258 people killed, more than 700 were wounded. Argentines were killed 649 people, over 1000 were injured, and more than 11 thousand were taken prisoner.
The 1982 Falklands War, in which Argentina suffered a humiliating defeat, later caused the overthrow of the G altieri military junta. But for the UK, this small victorious war has benefited by raising the national trust of citizens in the government and allowing the country to assert its position in the international community.
Current situation
Relations between Argentina and Great Britain escalated in 2010 after the latter started oil production offshore the Falkland Islands. In addition, England deployed an additional military contingent on the islands, in connection with which Argentina criticized it, accusing it of militarizing the region. The Falklands War and the unresolved dispute are still the cause of tensions between the countries.
In 2013, a referendum was held in the Falkland Islands, which raised the question of their status. It is known that 98% of those polled voted for the islands to remain a British Overseas Territory. However, about 3 thousand people live on the islands, most of them are of British origin. Argentina, in turn, said it did not recognize the results of the referendum, as it was held without the approval of the UN. Therefore, the country continues to claim these territories to this day, considering them to be its own.
Unfortunately, even in the modern world there are conflicts such as the Falklands War. Just about many ofwe know little of them. By the way, in Argentina, the Falkland Islands are usually called the Malvinas.
