Why did Britain go to war with Argentina?

On 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands. Argentina had claimed sovereignty over the islands for many years and their ruling military junta did not believe that Britain would attempt to regain the islands by force.

Why did Argentina invade the Falkland Islands?

On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a remote UK colony in the South Atlantic. Argentina’s military junta hoped to restore its support at a time of economic crisis, by reclaiming sovereignty of the islands. It said it had inherited them from Spain in the 1800s and they were close to South America.

Why do the British own the Falklands?

You have to take possession of an empty territory, settle it and govern it continuously to have a hope of claiming ownership. Royal Navy Captain John Strong made the first recorded landing on the then uninhabited islands in 1690, and named them after his patron Lord Falkland.

What was the Argentinian lens of the Falklands War?

The Argentinian lens saw the Falklands as an economic drain on the UK and that its government would be unwilling or unable to constitute a force capable of retaking the islands. They assumed that the British would agree to negotiations to end the crisis, the Third World would support Argentina, and the superpowers would remain neutral.

Why did the Soviet Union invade Argentina in the Falklands War?

Preceding the Falklands War, the Soviet Union was under an embargo of key food supplies, Argentina was one of two countries that ignored the embargo. The Soviets had hoped to improve the position in their 36-to-1 trade balance with Argentina through arms sales, however, the Argentine generals were unimpressed with Soviet presentations.

Why did the UK not defend the Falklands in 1982?

The UK had not considered the need to defend the Falklands, stationing Royal Marines as only a symbolic presence and tripwire, nor did they consider the possibility of having to liberate the islands. Thus, planning was never conducted to defend or liberate the islands in a conflict with Argentina.

Did the United Kingdom use naval mines in the Falklands War?

However, the United Kingdom (UK) did not use naval mines for this war. Preceding the Falklands War, the Soviet Union was under an embargo of key food supplies, Argentina was one of two countries that ignored the embargo.