Introduction
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Falklands History (3.14MB)
Falklands War; the first 400 years pdf
Falklands War; Countdown & Conflict 1982
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What follows is a chronology of the Falkland Islands and the politics surrounding the history of those Islands and their old Dependencies.
The Falkland Islands have been at the centre of European politics since the 15th Century, either because of their strategic position, their association as British possessions or, more recently, the prospect of oil. Spain and Britain came close to war over them in 1770. Argentina attempted to seize the archipelago in 1832 and did so in 1982 resulting in the Falklands War. Their aggressive attempts to colonise these small Islands continue even to this day.
I believe that historical events must be viewed in context – and, in this case, that context places in sharp contrast the narrow version of history adopted by Argentina in its claims for these very British Islands.
There is also a constant process of review and update, as new or better information comes to light. This is particularly so with the digitization of records that constantly adds new material. 95% of this I found on the Internet. The material is there if you care to dig. My results therefore can be checked.
As I am continually working on the pdf version of the main history (link above), it will always be ahead of the blog and better referenced. Fully referenced in fact, as I have the option of foot notes and end notes which this wordpress system does not afford me. Please use whichever suits you. Please enjoy it.
Best wishes.
Roger Lorton March 2013
Well done on the hard work of this blog and thank you for making your book freely available.
Unfortunately I think the conclusion of the book is a joke in bad taste, basing the validity of claims on how long they existed is ridicules (I know I am oversimplifying your point) if that was a valid argument then the UK should immediately return Gibraltar (Arabic for mountain of Tariq) to the Arabs who possessed it for more than seven hundred years and lay claims for it for the last five centuries, since the times of Richard III two centuries before the union of England and Scotland brought forth the UK.
Your hopes for the islanders, although sincere and I am sure welcomed by them, will only reinforce their misguided position which I truthfully fear will one day lead them to disaster.
anonemiss
March 10, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Actually – I base the conclusion of the ’400 years’ book on the eroneous nature of Argentina’s claim; the length of time of the British claim being only one of many points in Britain’s favour.
As for Gibraltar, I am not aware of a current claim by any of the Arab nations. Spain ceded Gibraltar as part of a peace Treaty. It’s position then is not really in any doubt unless we need to revisit all 300 year old Treaties.
The Falkland Islanders position is hardly misguided. They have history and international law on their side and are supported by Britain, which is able to hold its own in the face of the world. Argentina may hold to its spurious views but is incapable of achieving its demands.
Junius
March 11, 2013 at 3:26 am
Of course replying in a comment to a book conclusion must include some oversimplification, but the length of the different claims seemed to be the main point discussed in the conclusion.
I am not sure if the UK can hold its own “in the face of the world,” but maybe it can still hold its own in the face of Argentina. I doubt even that and have written three posts about it on my blog, the latest is at the top of the blog with links to the other two. Take a look if you are interested in a discussion about the decline of British naval power.
As to the Arabs you are right, there is no specific claim on Gibraltar by any Arab state yet, but the whole of Iberia (called Al-Andalus in Arabic) is still very much viewed as a lost jewel, a piece of Paradise that was taken by force and deceit and ethnically cleansed of all Arabs and Muslims. Regardless of their feelings, with a desert to their south and east and an ocean to their west the millions of Arabs in the greater Morocco must one day cross the strait and return to the fertile peninsula to their north. Quoting treaties will not stop the tide of history, it never did.
anonemiss
March 11, 2013 at 4:14 pm
“Yet” isn’t good enough. Claims must be maintained or lost under aquisitive prescription. No claim by any Arab state would have any chance now. One of the reasons for Argentina’s repetitive claim is that they understand this legal point.
As for the decline in Britain’s naval power? Hardly. Our naval power has declined regularly since the 16th century – usually as a result of money problems. It was such a decline in 1770 that led to Spain believeing that it would be unchallenged in the Falklands. Amazing the speed with which the military might was built up again when needed. As a result the fleet that grew off Spithead gave a clear warning to both Spain and France and as a result, they backed off.
Everytime we have defence cuts, other nations think their time has come. Everytime they are proven wrong!
Junius
March 14, 2013 at 12:33 am
The Japanese, who broke the myth of the British Navy, were not proven wrong; or are you under the impression that the United State Navy is a branch of the UK military? I thought I was commenting on the blog of a serious person, clearly I was wrong.
anonemiss
March 14, 2013 at 9:39 am
Yes – they were proven wrong ! They lost – remember ??
Junius
March 14, 2013 at 12:53 pm