Why Argentina thought Britain wouldn't fight for the Falklands?

#history #falklandswar #falklandislands

[tedparkinson]

I think the Junta, so used to flashy, sweeping acts of force, mistook proportionality fotlr weakness.

[Ragazzo-Carino]

Another reason Galtieri thought the UK would do nothing was because of Thatcher and Knott’s ridiculous defence cuts…they were selling, scrapping or mothballing much of the fleet. I remember a documentary years later where an admiral stated that if Galtieri had invaded 18 months later the UK wouldn’t have had enough ships to take the islands back.

My best friend and colleagues worked 24 hour shifts in Portsmouth Naval Base readying the ships because many had been run down because they were going to be scrapped or mothballed.

[youknow]

Lesson number one, never let others take you for a fool, by being too understanding.

[jonathansoberano]

Lessson learned: do not touch UK's rock collection

[AGMundy]

You have to respect Margaret Thatcher's resolute response. Argentina should be grateful because the conflict brought the political junta to an end.

[nocofaig]

I heard this at the time - specifically that the UK would not respond to an invasion and annexing of the Falklands. It was only after the event that the UK took action. This part explains the invasion and history in context.

Whether Argentina misread the UK intentions or not is an open debate little spoken about.

[riku]

Weak response is the greatest provocation. If only the west had understoood this with Russia over the past decade.

[lighthorse]

1976 was another "Peace in our time" moment. If they had acted then we might have avoided the Falklands War altogether.

[SimonKHoak-eccc]

The Argentinians sure called that one wrong.

[NordicDragon]

"Orders from Iron Maiden - Get the Islands back!"

[tadzionl]

Thatcher was not in charge yet in 1976. Maybe that was the reason why Britain didn't do anything back then.

[timgosling]

The island is Southern 'Thoo-lee', or 'Too-lee' depending on whether you're a local. Not 'thew-ell'.

[ianbanks]

This demonstrates perfectly that you do not compromise with dictators .

[EricMcConnaughey]

As Josiah Bartlett once asked, "Can someone please explain to me the virtue of a proportional response?!"

[eddychong]

Argentina: I'm gonna do a big brain move
Britain: You don't say?

[weeguy]

Good example of "FK around and find out"

[Sabrowsky]

One of the funniest thigs to me is that if the Junta had waited a few years, they might have been able to take the islands, seeing as the UK had been downsizing their military for years at that point.

But taking the islands was never really their objective, as far as I gather, fighting a war and uniting the Argentine people against a common enemy was. Picking this fight, then losing basically did that, but with them as the common enemy.

[BA-gnqb]

Can't wait to see how this turns out. 🤗

[radomirratkovic]

If same was to repeat itself what would be response this time around ? " To be or not to be the question is NOW..."

[thalmoragent]

Despite the UK falling apart after WW2, the Argentinians still underestimated the Empire. Fought 2 World Wars, start to finish, and even if still reeling from that... the UK still had a whollop for them. As a reminder.