The Falklands War (1982)

                                  

The conflict and the parties

The Falklands War was a conflict between Great Britain and Argentina about the Falkland Islands in 1982. The Falklands were owned by Britain, but Argentina claimed the islands and wanted them as a part of their territory. Another reason was that the government in Argentina wanted to draw attention away from the crisis in their country and mobilise patriotic feelings. Britain, who wanted to keep the Falklands, rejected the Argentine claim. 

How the war was fought

The war started on April 2^nd 1982, when Argentina decided to take the Falklands by force. 2000 Argentine troops landed on the islands and started the invasion. Within two days they had occupied the islands. British forces were immediately sent to the area, to attack the Argentine Navy and Air Force. Most of the battle took place at sea between the Royal Navy and the Argentine Air Force. May 21^st British troops landed on the islands. Argentina surrendered June 14^th.

The outcome
The outcome became that the Falklands still remained British. In total 907 people were killed and 1845 were wounded (according to Military History) during the conflict.            

Argentina refused to accept the outcome of the war, and still claims that the Falklands should be a part of the Argentine area.

Sources:

 http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswars1900s/p/falklands.htm

Searching 10, text A. ’’Why Wars Happen’’ (p. 180)

The History of Wars, Ken Hills (p. 22-23)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War (Picture)

© Marie