Why did Great Britain go to war instead of brokering a deal over the Falkland Islands? Was it worth the loss?

Answer 1

The Falklands had been under territorial dispute for years. Before the war Argentina was in an economic crisis and the motivation of the Argentina's repressive military junta to invade was to distract people from the economic issue. They never thought that Britain would respond militarily. When some Argentinian scrap metal merchants raised their flag at South Georgia on the Falklands, the Junta, suspecting that the UK would reinforce its navy in the area, invaded the islands, triggering the Falklands War.

The UK lost 258 people during the war. Argentina lost 649. Argentina lost a major ship (Belgrano), the UK lost six ships and another 10 were damaged.

As a result of the war protests in Argentina against the government finally pushed the Argentinian junta out of power.

UK PM Margaret Thatcher's political fortunes were bolstered by the war and she was later re-elected in the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945.

After the war the previous deterioration in military spending in the UK was halted and proper attention paid to maintaining the military, without which the UK may not have been able to participate as fully as it has in Iraq.

The Falklands War also strengthed the partnership between the US and UK. US president Reagan and his Secretary of Defence Weinberger received honorary knighthoods for their help, and the common alignment of Britain and the USA against the Soviet bloc was bolstered, perhaps contributing to the later fall of the Soviet Union.

So was it all worth it? Perhaps.
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Answer 2

Well to start with putting the start up aside when argentina launched an attack on the falklands (Britian) Their was a small marine force their of Platoon strength (30 odd man) Who put up a gallent fight killing many enemy. However supreme man power finally won the day and they were takin prisoner. It must be mentioned that Argentina did follow the Geneva conventions which is an honrable thing as not many do.
However Political Talks would have been in process to release the prisoners. During these probable talks war ships with soldiers on board were despatched and it is well documented the british special forces landed on the smaller of the islands to conduct reconnasaince which was not very successful.
1st point I would like to make is Why would a small military power try to take on someone as the British? Who knows but my guess is they didnt think Britian would worry about such a small state as the Falklands. But if Britian didnt act by taking back their land then What next. Would they be takin seriously in the next world conflict or even at the United Nations or even in anything. It would be like the little kid at school taking the big bullies lunch and then telling everyone what he did and that the bully didnt do anything but ask for it back.
2nd Point is I believe the Politcal talks were in action long before Falklands was invaded so this gave both sides time to prepare militarly. As we know this didnt work out and Military might was used.
3rdly and often over looked especially in modern conflicts, what did the people who lived in the Falklands want? Did anyone think about them? I belive they greated the british as heros and saviours and by the sounds of it did not want Argentina to run their country especially with the amount of debt and corruptness of their government at the time, which must be noted were later kicked out of power after the war.
Last but not least, Britian Had lost most of their empire because of the new world order that took place late 1800's to the turn of the 19 century and because of their obligation to the people of Falkland owed it to them to free them of argentina agression. It also showed the world that Britian still has the military strength to stop agression on their states (ie the commonwealth) and will protect their interests regardless of how big or small it is.
I belive it was worth the loss because at the end of the day Britian won the day. Its sad to think that so many good man of the british Defence Force lost their lifes fighting for the political cause but im sure if you read any of the stories and books they were all ready, keen and would not have missed the fight for the world. I realise friends and family of the brave soldiers who laid their lifes down for the cause would not believe so but we must look beyond this and at the big picture. I suppose this is why we have governments who have specialists to go over and over these things.
Anyway I hope this brings some light to your question.

Answer 3

The British lost 262 men in order to regain the territory lost to an invasion by a hostile country. That is less than a single hour during D Day.

Had the British sat back with their hands in their pockets they would have had to deal with more invaders in the future.

Since liberation the island has prospered due to fishing and tourism.

Answer 4

It's a matter of principle - you don't go around invading the land and territory of other nations. Besides, as an overseas territory, the United Kingdom had and has an obligation to militarily defend the Falklands.

Answer 5

I think it was merely a thing of prestige in the world. The UK simply does not /did not/ offer the second cheek for slapping, unlike many other countries. the reputation gained in such a conflict together with direct consequences in the system of training and aquisition of equipment are not easy to scale with the pure human losses.

Answer 6

Argentina became a democracy after the humilation of the generals, so it was a war where both sides won.

Answer 7

Because it was British territory.. and the people who lived there were British citizens.

If somebody invaded and American state, should we negotiate with them or send everything we have to free the state?

Answer 8

No but the british empire is getting so small now that every little bit counts

Answer 9

the people of the falklands are BRITISH

they want to stay british

i think every one of them would tell you it was worth it

all the best
Ian