Falkland War

Throughout the majority of Argentinean history, the main form of government was military dictatorship. Between the early 1930’s to 1983, Argentina had 24 presidents, consisting of 16 military officers and 2 army generals who were democratically elected. The last of the military dictatorship, which is more commonly referred to as the Junta lost their power between the years 1976-1983. Along with several other crises’ occurring in a time where the military controlled the country, the crisis which most affected the Junta was the Falkland’s War between Britain and Argentina. Argentina’s intention to capture Las Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands), led by General Leopoldo Galtieri was the turning point that began the massive transition from dictatorship to democracy.
Intro.   In spite of this, why was the Fakland War significant to the Junta’s demise in 1982? The central reason behind the fall of the Junta government is due to the social, economical, and political issues within Argentina before, during, and after the Falkland’s war.

Firstly, the government’s violation of human rights caused dissent towards the government and enabled civilians to question the regime’s dictatorship methods, thus leading to the Junta’s demise. During the early 1970’s, several leftist Guerilla groups emerged consisting of numerous sub-groups such as the Personist Montoneros who opposed the regime’s dictatorship methods. General and President Jorge Videla quoted that the guerilla groups were, “not just someone with a gun or a bomb but also someone who spreads idea’s that are contrary to Western and Christian civilization.” As protest groups emerged, violence in Argentina began including frequent kidnappings, robberies, assassination of army and police personnel and urban bombing. Everyone in Argentina could be a victim and everyone in the country was scared by their own government. It was quoted that Argentina became a “Culture of Fear.” Civilians were scared of their own government not...