Britain and the Falklands
How Britain came to own the Falklands
Since being discovered by European explorers, few people have actually lived on the Falklands islands, but many countries have claimed ownership.
Three hundred miles off the coast of Argentina, the Falklands are a chain of islands dominated by two main bodies, East Falkland and West Falkland. At the time of European settlement, there were no native islanders and there is little evidence of any previous settlements.
It is unknown who was the first European to set eyes on the Falkland Islands. Some think it was first seen by Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition as it circumnavigated the globe, others claim it was the Dutch. Whatever the case, the islands were largely ignored until the French established a colony in 1764. In 1765, the English, unaware of the French colony, established their own settlement on another island. Just a year after that, the Spanish bribed the French, took control of the French colony, and in 1770 they attacked and drove the English from the Islands.
Spain remained in control of the Falklands until the early 1800’s when Argentina declared its independence from Spain and claimed the Falklands. This claim went undisputed until 1831 when Argentina captured three American fishing vessels in an attempt to control fishing rights. In response, the United States sent the warship Lexington, drove most of the colonists off the island, and declared the islands free from all government.
A few years later, Britain returned to the islands and built a new colony at Port Stanley, including a naval base. Britain has maintained its presence and its claims to the island since this time. However, Argentina has never renounced its claims.
During the first World War, the German’s launched a naval attack against the Falkland Islands. Bringing five Cruisers of various size, the German’s attempted to surprise the English fleet in Port Stanely. The surprise attack failed, and the German’s quickly found themselves out-gunned by the eight British cruisers. Four German ships were sunk in the fighting and a further two transports were captured. The British ships suffered only light damage. The battle ended any German hopes to establish control in the southern Atlantic.
It was also the last major military conflict to involve the islands until 1982 when Argentina invaded the islands in order to reassert her claims to the islands.
