Our govt wouldnt move a finger about military, because whenever they mention the word, people panics. A dictatorship in which tenths of thousands died or dissapeared twenty years ago is enough cause, although the unstability of democracy in the past was caused by repetitive statal strikes conducted by the military, in 1930, 1943, 1955, 1962, 1966 & 1976, consequently rotting the course of the country.
OTOH, the islands history summary, before the falklands.
First European Sightings and Landings - Claims for the first sightings of these uninhabited islands include the Italian Amerigo Vespucci in 1502 and the expedition of Portugese-born Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. Thereafter three firsts are generally accepted - Capt John Davis makes the first British sighting in 1592 (1), Dutchman Sebald de Weert first accurately plots the westerly Jason Islands in 1600 (2), and the first British landing is made in 1690 on the north coast by Capt John Strong (3) who names Falkland Sound after Lord Falkland of the Admiralty. Spanish Control - The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht confirms Spain's continued control of her traditional territories in the Americas, including the offshore islands, but by now the French, many from St. Malo are visiting the islands from which they receive the name Les Iles Malouines, subsequently the Spanish Islas Malvinas. In the 1740's, Admiral Lord Anson, back from his voyage around the world recommends them as a naval base because of their strategic position near Cape Horn.
French and British Settlement - The first settlement is established in 1764 at Port Louis in Berkeley Sound by the French under Antoine de Bougainville (4), who claims the colony in the name of the King of France, a step which brings strong protests from allied Spain.
Next year British Captain John Byron arrives to survey the north coast, goes ashore on Saunders Island off West Falkland and in turn claims the islands for Britain, naming Port Egmont before sailing away (5). Captain John McBride follows him there in 1766 to set up a permanent colony (6), and that same year tries to eject the French from Port Louis, but unknown to both of them, de Bougainville has already sold out to Spain.
Spanish Colony - De Bougainville formally hands over the French colony in 1767 and Port Louis is renamed Puerto Soledad (7). A Spanish governor is appointed under the Captain-General of mainland Buenos Aires, but both the British on West Falkland and Spanish on East Falkland carry on until 1769 when each tries to get the other to leave.
The following year, on orders from Buenos Aires, five Spanish ships with 1,400 troops arrive and the small marine garrison at Port Egmont is forced to leave in a move which nearly leads to war between the two countries (8). After intensive negotiations Spain agrees in 1771 to Britain returning to Port Egmont (9), but reserves the right to sovereignty. She also claims Britain has secretly agreed to pull out and indeed the settlement is abandoned three years later in 1774 (10). Until the early 19th century, the Falklands remain the Spanish colony of Islas Malvinas.
Argentine Claim and Possession - Following independence from Spain in 1816, the future state of Argentina lays claim to the previous colonial territories, and in 1820 sends a frigate to take possession of the Falklands (11). In 1826, Louis Vernet of French origin establishes himself and a number of colonists at Puerto Soledad to develop fishing, farming and trade, and as governor from 1828 attempts to control the widespread sealing. Waking up to developments, Britain's consul general in Buenos Aires protests in 1829 against the appointment of a governor and re-asserts old claims to sovereignty.
United States and British Involvement - In 1831, after arresting American sealers accused of poaching, Louis Vernet sails in one of them for Buenos Aires where the captain is to stand trial. In reprisal, the US warship "Lexington" arrives off Puerto Soledad, destroys the fortifications, arrests some of the people and declares the islands free of government before sailing away (12).
Argentina and the United States argue furiously over each other's high-handed behaviour, and next year a new governor is appointed but then murdered by rebellious colonists. As Argentine forces attempt to restore order, Royal Navy warships "Clio" and "Tyne" under the command of Captain Onslow arrive in early 1833, force them to leave and claim the Falklands for Britain (13). Argentina protests strongly, but the British Government maintains that all rights to sovereignty were retained during the 1770 negotiations with Spain
1592 - British sighting by Capt Davis
1600 - Plotted by Dutchman Sebald de Weert
1690 - British landing by Capt Strong
1764 - First French settlement by de Bougainville
1765 - British landing by Capt Byron
1766 - British settlement by Capt MacBride
1767 - French settlement handed over to Spanish control
1770 - Spain expels British colonists
1771 - Britain allowed to return, but Spain reserves right to sovereignty
1774 - British colony abandoned
1820 - Recently-independent Argentina takes possession
1831 - US declares the island "free of government"
1833 - Britain takes possession from Argentina
1842 - Britain declares a colonial administration
The bolded parts in the summary are what people is bitter about. The military´s intention was to gain popular support, they knew themselves they wouldnt win a war against Britain. The economical downfall caused by their horrific economics was generating plenty of unrest, in addition to their human rights violations. And as sheep most people are, they were convinced it was the right thing to do.
The involvement of the US is pretty unclear: The dispute at this level could only rationally be amongst the settlers, France, Britain and Spain, or those territories who have become independant and whose sovereignity may be affected by a colony, Argentina in this case, as ]
the islands are in its continental platform. The role the US intrusion seems to play is a distraction, or even a treat to make the government by that time (which was a dictatorship, surprise...) react against them rather than act territorially -Keeping in mind that the country was only 15 years old-.
