The War for the Falklands: Altruism or Economic Control?

Abstract: In 1982 Argentina invaded a handful of islands in the South Atlantic that supported a population of barely 2,000 humans (and approximately one hundred sheep for each human). Experts and non-experts were proposing theories that ranged from the Argentine foot soldier's view of 'freeing the islands from the yoke of colonialism' to a war for the potential economic value of oil fields rumored to be just offshore. The most likely scenario includes a long history of conflict over sovereignty, an existence of and potential for a long term shortage of oil, the strategic position of the islands as a gateway to the South Atlantic with access to the Suez Canal all coming together with a feeling of urgency caused by the oil situation. This 10 page paper explores the motivations of the Argentines for invading the Falklands in 1982. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Environmental Issues & Ecology

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