Why was there a war in 1982?

For many years both Britain and Argentina have disputed ownership of the Falkland Island or Islas Malvinas.        

Britain’s claim rests on the landing in 1690 by Captain John Strong who named the islands after Viscount Falkland, and that Britain had administered and populated the islands since 1833.         

A Spanish claim was based on a French settlement there in 1764 which was bought by the Spanish around 1767.  Argentina declared independence from Spain in 1816 and thus proclaimed its sovereignty over the Falklands in 1820.

Under UN patronage, talks had been in progress since 1979 about potential leaseback of the Falkland Islands, an unpopular move with Falkland residents. This together with proposed cutbacks in the Royal Navy (losing HMS Endurance, two Landing Ships and an aircraft carrier) led General Galtieri to perceive, that Britain was no longer concerned to maintain its Overseas Territories.  He also needed to ignite patriotic fervour amongst the Argentine population to distract them from internal problems.  [A common political ruse!] On 2 April 1982 the Argentines invaded the Falkland Islands.     

Throughout April, America (President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of State Al Haig) and the United Nations (Secretary General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar) attempted to broker a number of peace deals, but terms were never acceptable to one party or the other.  Ultimately time ran out and an undeclared war commenced.  Even then diplomatic efforts continued to no avail.    

The principal reasons Britain went to war were to recover the islands, protect our people living there and maintain British prestige.  Furthermore, to have abandoned them would have been considered internationally as a sign that Britain was no longer interested in her Overseas Territories.