The Falklands War was a conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Here’s a brief summary of the causes and effects of the war:

Causes of the War

Argentina had long claimed the Falkland Islands, which they refer to as the “Islas Malvinas”. Their claim dated back to the 19th century and was based on the islands’ proximity to the South American continent and historical possession by the Spanish Empire.

The Argentine military junta, led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, faced domestic economic problems and political unrest. The decision to invade the Falklands was partly seen as a way to rally nationalist sentiment and divert public attention from internal issues.

Timeline of the War:

• Argentine Invasion: On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands and, shortly afterward, South Georgia.
• British Response: The UK, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, responded by assembling a naval task force to retake the islands.
• Sea Engagements: The war saw several naval and air engagements between the British and Argentine forces. Notably, the British submarine HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano, resulting in the loss of 323 lives.
• Landing at San Carlos: On May 21, British forces landed at San Carlos on East Falkland and faced Argentine air attacks.
• Battle for the Settlements: Over the following weeks, British troops advanced and captured key settlements, including Goose Green and Darwin.
• Liberation of Stanley: On June 14, 1982, British forces entered Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, leading to the Argentine surrender.

Aftermath:

• Casualties: 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities.
• Political Consequences: The victory in the Falklands War bolstered the popularity of Margaret Thatcher and her government in the UK. In Argentina, the defeat led to the collapse of Galtieri’s junta and a return to civilian rule.
• Continued Tensions: While a ceasefire was declared, Argentina and the UK have had occasional diplomatic tensions regarding the status of the islands. In 1994, Argentina’s claim to the islands was added to its constitution. However, in a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain a British territory.