Why do the British and Argentine governments want the Falkland Islands so badly?

Question

Or should i say back in the eighties when we went to war?

Answer 1

One of the real reasons is Antartica...
The countries of the world have agreed that you can only establish a base and presence in Antartica if you have land that is on proximity to it.

That is why Britain wants to keep it, and also because it has been ours for a LOOONG time now.

Of course America doesn't care what the world thinks and has established a base there anyway, regardless of the rules of the UN, etc..

Argentina wanted it to divert its citizens attention from internal politics and economics, and to show how great they were.
In Argentina, the government decided to take all the money that was saved in banks, that meant that people lost ALL their savings. Imagine it... every penny you earn and save in your life (for retirement or buying a house, or whatever) instantly gone... taken not by thieves, but the government.

So... lots of political, economic and geographic reasons is the short answer :D

Answer 2

The Argentine Government would like the Islands back for reasons of national prestige. In 1982 they went to war to distract the population from internal economic crisises, and to promote nationalism and national untity.
The UK Government were forced to take them back because of national pride, and the committment to the wishes of the Islanders, which are paramount. That is the reason why they islands remain British and will continue to do so until the Islanders indicates that they should no longer.

In recent years there has been some talk of Oil and lucrative fishing off the islands, but that wasn't widely known in 1982

Answer 3

Oil, deep range sonar discovered oil off of the Falkland Islands. National pride of both nations trying to bolster their then faltering governments, particularly in the case of the Argentines took over then. When Argentina attacked the islands they figured it would be a walk over and a quiet succession of the islands to them. Great Britain was ruled by Thatcher, the Iron Maiden, and she wasn't going to give up one inch of a dwindling empire. The navies were both good but the Brits sent their best and the Argentines sent conscripts. We know the rest.

Answer 4

The Falkland islands are full of British people so that's why the British want it and the Argentines want it because it's right on their doorstep but the Argentines couldn't beat the good old Brits

Answer 5

Maybe they found a secret Leprachaun race and whoever controls them will learn the location to the pots of gold scattered on the islands!

Answer 6

The Argentinians want them because of their proximity to Argentina. The British want them for strategic purposes.

Answer 7

Haven't you seen Eddie Izzard's show Dressed to Kill? They wanted the Falklands for "Strategic sheep purposes". *lmao*