23 - The Falklands, The Cold War And Attitudes Towards Europe Flashcards
What are the Falklands Islands? Since what year had Britain possessed them?
A series of rocky islands off the Argentinian coast
1833
What other country claimed possession of the Falklands? When did they invade the islands?
Argentina
April 1982
What did British military leaders assure Mrs Thatcher of? What was organised?
They could win back the Falklands
A taskforce
When was a taskforce sent to the Falklands? What did they begin to bomb?
8th April 1982
Argentinian positions
What 2 groups tried to arrange a peaceful solution to the Falklands War? What date did a British submarine sink Argentinian cruiser Belgrano?
UN and US
2nd May 1982
How many lives were lost as a result of the sinking of Belgrano? What did the sinking end?
Hundreds
Peace talks
Until what month did the Falklands conflict continue to? What Port was captured?
June 1982
Port Stanley
What did Argentinian forces do after Port Stanley was captured?
They surrendered
How many British lives were lost in the Falklands? How many Argentinian lives?
255
665
What did the Falklands victory restore in Britain? Whose position did it enhance?
Confidence
Thatcher’s position
What date did President Reagan write to Thatcher about Galtieri? What did he state about Galtieri’s position?
15th April 1982
“Galtieri says the advance of your fleet is making his situation difficult”
What disagreement led directly to Thatcher’s downfall? What 2 things was Thatcher concerned about?
Europe
Waste and inefficiency
What British value was Thatcher scared of losing to Europe? Who were more values being devolved to?
Sovereignty
EU
Who did Thatcher support economic ties with? What did she balk at politically?
Europe
A greater political union
What Act did Thatcher accept in 1985? What did the Act emphasise?
Single Europe Act
Closer European ties
What Act was Thatcher reluctant to accept? What issue signified this?
1985 Single Europe Act
Exchange rates
What economic goal did the EU have? What was a precursor to this?
A single currency
ERM
How would the values of currencies in EU member states be pegged? What was the strongest currency?
To the strongest currency
Deustchmark
What happened to exports due to the ERM?
They were artificially high
What ideology was Thatcher avowedly against? What was she nicknamed?
Communism
“The Iron Lady”
Which leader did Thatcher get on well with? What prejudice did they both feel about the USSR?
President Reagan
It was “an evil empire”
Who was Thatcher a stalwart ally towards in the 1980s? Where did Thatcher often visit in considerable acclaim?
US
Eastern Europe
What Polish trade union movement did Thatcher support? Why?
Solidarity
It denounced Communist governments
Which reformist USSR leader did Thatcher support? What did she encourage?
Gorbachev
Modernisation of the USSR
Where did Thatcher enjoy considerable respect from? What has she been praised for helping bring to an end?
International stage
Cold War
What 2 countries is Thatcher judged far less critically in the world than in the UK?
USA
Russia
