Argentina–United Kingdom relations
United Kingdom |
Argentina |
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Foreign relations between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have existed for over two centuries.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1823. During the period of
Diplomatic relations were cut off before the Falklands War in 1982 and were reinstated in 1989. Post-war relations between the two countries improved significantly up until the mid-2000s. During the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, relations became increasingly tense, with Argentina reasserting their claims to the Falkland Islands. In 2016, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Argentine President Mauricio Macri held a meeting where they agreed to begin a new stage of dialogue and friendship between the two countries and reaffirming the strong relationship the two countries have historically.[3] Argentina later withdrew from this agreement in 2023.[4]
Argentina has an
Country comparison
Argentina | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|
Population | 46,044,703 (2022)[8] | 68,138,484 (2022)[9] |
Area | 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,500 sq mi) | 242,495 km2 (93,628 sq mi) |
Population density | 14.4/km2 | 255.6/km2 |
Capital and largest city | Buenos Aires | London |
Population of capital (metropolitan area) |
12,801,365 | 13,879,757 |
Government | Federal presidential constitutional republic | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
Legal system | Civil law | Common law |
Official languages | Spanish | English (de facto) |
Main religions | Christians 85.5%, Atheists and Agnostics 11.3%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, Mormons 0.9%, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism 1.2%.[10] | Christians 71.6%, Islam 2.8%, Hinduism 1.0%, Sikhism 0.6%, Judaism 0.5%, Buddhism 0.3%, Other religions 0.3% [clarification needed] |
Ethnic groups | 97% White (European descent), 3% Mestizo, Asian and Black. | 87.1% White British, 7.0% Asian, 3.0% Black, 2.0% Mixed, 0.9% others. |
GDP (PPP) | $1.207 trillion (2022)[11] | $3.776 trillion (2022)[12] |
Literacy rate[13] | 98.9 | 99.0 |
Human Development Index[14] | 0.825 (Very High) | 0.922 (Very High) |
Driving side | Right | Left |
History
Colonial era
The modern territory of Argentina was initially part of the
The Peninsular War, the social changes caused by the huge militarization of the people of Buenos Aires and other local and international influences led to the May Revolution, which began the Argentine War of Independence. Britain stayed neutral during the conflict, and accepted the Argentine Declaration of Independence on 15 December 1823. The formal relations were established with the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Argentine National Organization (1853–1879)
The two countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1823. During the National Organization period, Argentina began to outline a foreign policy favouring relations with Britain, which became the main buyer of Argentine raw materials and the major source of investment in the country. By mid century, London bankers were sending in capital, to invest in railways, docks, packing houses, and utilities. London sent in 3000 agents to handle shipping, insurance, and banking.[16]
In 1865, during the Liberal government of
Economic relationship in the 19th century
After Argentina obtained its independence, economic ties between Britain and Argentina increased substantially. Britain’s textile exports to Argentina grew by 9.4% yearly between 1817 and 1874.[17] Nearly 10 percent of Britain’s capital outflows between 1865 and 1914 went to Argentina; this was larger than the British capital outflow to India.[17]
The Conservative Republic (1880–1916)
A series of geographical expeditions to
In 1902, the chancellor of the second government of Julio Argentino Roca, Dr.
The
Britain was the main purchaser of Argentine beef and grain. During the Second World War, Argentina refused to go along with the American anti-German policies. Washington responded by trying to shut down Argentine exports. President Franklin Roosevelt asked Prime Minister Winston Churchill to stop buying Argentine beef and grain. Churchill refused, saying the food was urgently needed.[18]
Falklands War
In 1965, formal talks began regarding the Falkland Islands, and Argentina was heading towards some form of sovereignty with guarantees for the Anglophone population when the junta leaders' domestic situation deteriorated. Looking for a distraction, they invaded the Falklands in 1982, miscalculating Britain's response. The UK sent a naval task force that arrived after a month, and with US intelligence and logistical support, they defeated Argentina in just over three weeks. The war toppled the junta in Buenos Aires and helped re-elect Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Britain. Although sovereignty over the Falklands remains disputed, Britain garrisoned them.[19][20]
Post-war relations
In the 1990s, relations between the UK and Argentina improved further. In 1998, Carlos Menem, the President of Argentina visited London, where he reaffirmed his country's claims to the Islands, although he stated that Argentina would use only peaceful means to obtain them. In 2001, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visited Argentina where he stated that he hoped the UK and Argentina could resolve their differences that led to the 1982 war. However, no talks on sovereignty took place during the visit and Argentina's President Néstor Kirchner stated that he regarded gaining sovereignty over the islands as a 'top priority' of his government.[21]
Modern times
Since the mid-2000s, diplomatic relations between the UK and Argentina have become increasingly strained. In 2006, Argentina renewed claims to the Falkland Islands, citing concern over fishing and petroleum rights.
Since 2010, reports of British
At the G20 Summit in Mexico in June 2012,
In March 2013 the Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly in a referendum for the territory to remain British 1,513 to 3, 99.8% in favor of British control. Argentina dismissed the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum.[31][32] The UK Government urged Argentina and other countries to respect the islanders' wishes.[33]
On the 33rd anniversary of the invasion of the islands on 2 April 2015
In 2015, Mauricio Macri was elected President of Argentina. In office, Macri struck a more conciliatory note with regards to the Falklands and appeared to wish to have much more cordial relations with Britain, but nevertheless reaffirmed Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands as a long-term goal.[citation needed] In November 2017, an RAF plane landed in Argentina for the first time since before the Falklands war, to assist in the hunt for the missing submarine ARA San Juan.[36]
Despite these developments, where possible, Britain continued to actively oppose modernization of the Argentine military. In 2019, the
Following his election as President of Argentina in 2023, Javier Milei asserted that Argentina had "non-negotiable sovereignty" over the islands.[39]
Cultural relations
According to the
There is a strong British cultural influence in Argentina and a large Argentine-British community around Buenos Aires. There is also a strong Welsh-speaking Argentine-Welsh community in
English background
English culture, or a version of it as perceived from outside, had a noted effect on the
In 1912 Harrods opened a department store in Buenos Aires; the only Harrods ever opened outside London. Harrods Buenos Aires became independent of Harrods in the 1940s but still traded under the Harrods name. Afternoon tea became standard amongst large segments of the population and generated the popular merienda, an afternoon snack also known simply as la leche (milk) because it was served with tea or chocolate milk along with sweets. The Richmond café on Florida Street is a notable tea venue near the Harrods department store, now turned into an exhibition hall.
Gardened
Around 100,000 Anglo-Argentines are the descendants of English immigrants to Argentina. They are one of the most successful immigrant groups of Argentina, gaining prominence in commerce, industry, and the professions. Many are noted by their ability to speak English in family circles with an undistinguishable English accent. An English-language newspaper, the Buenos Aires Herald, was published daily in Buenos Aires from 1876 to 2017.
Anglo-Argentines have traditionally differed from their fellow Argentines by largely retaining strong ties with their mother country, including education and commerce.[44] Many of the schools in Argentina are bilingual offering both English language and Spanish language, including Northlands School, St. Mark's College, Balmoral College, St. Alban's College, St. George's College, Belgrano Day School and Washington School. Buenos Aires had a number of branches of the Asociación Argentina de Cultura Inglesa (English Cultural Association) and throughout the 20th century English language learning and teaching in state schools and private institutions was invariably geared towards the Received Pronunciation. Blue blazers and grey flannels are still used as uniforms in most private schools.
The Anglo-Argentine Society, based in London, was founded in 1948 and has about 900 members. It is a society for Argentine people living in the United Kingdom, particularly those of Anglo-Argentine heritage. One of its main aims is to promote understanding and friendship between the two countries.
The Coghlan neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, known for its large English-style residences, was originally inhabited by English and Irish immigrants. Furthermore, Caballito contains an area called the "English District".
In 1794, the United Kingdom opened a consulate in San Nicolás,[citation needed] leading to the development of a large British community in the area, which became known as the "English borough". They founded the English Merchants' Society in 1810 and in 1822 the British Consulate became home to the first modern bank in Buenos Aires.
Scottish influence
The so-called "father of Argentine football" was a Glaswegian schoolteacher, Alexander Watson Hutton, who first taught football at St. Andrew's Scots School in Buenos Aires in the early 1880s. On 4 February 1884[46] he founded the Buenos Aires English High School [sic] where he continued to instruct the pupils in the game.[47] In 1891 Hutton established the Association Argentine Football League,[48] the first football league outside of the British Isles.[49] Five clubs competed but only one season was ever played.
The St. Andrew's Scots School was established in Buenos Aires in 1838 and is the oldest school of British origin in South America.
Y Wladfa
The idea of a Welsh colony in South America was put forward by Professor Michael D. Jones, a Welsh nationalist non-conformist preacher[50]: 23 based in Bala who had called for a new "little Wales beyond Wales". He spent some years in the United States, where he observed that Welsh immigrants assimilated very quickly compared with other peoples and often lost much of their Welsh identity.[50]: 22 He proposed setting up a Welsh-speaking colony away from the influence of the English language. He recruited settlers and provided financing; Australia, New Zealand and even Palestine were considered, but Patagonia was chosen for its isolation and the Argentines' offer of 100 square miles (260 km²) of land along the Chubut River in exchange for settling the still-unconquered land of Patagonia for Argentina.[50]: 23–30 Michael D Jones had been corresponding with the Argentinean government about settling an area known as Bahía Blanca where Welsh immigrants could preserve their language and culture. The Argentinean government granted the request as it put them in control of a large tract of land. A Welsh immigration committee met in Liverpool and published a handbook, 'Llawlyfr y Wladfa' to publicise the scheme to form a Welsh colony in Patagonia which was distributed throughout Wales.[citation needed]
Towards the end of 1862, Captain
The permanent European settlement of the
Once they reached the valley of the Chubut River, their first settlement was a small fortress on the site which later became the town of Rawson, now the capital of Chubut province.[50]: 45 This was referred to as Yr Hen Amddiffynfa (The Old Fortress).[50]: 44 The first houses, constructed from earth, were washed away by a flash flood in 1865, and new houses of superior quality were built to replace them.[50]: 45–47 The floods also washed away crops of potatoes and maize.[50]: 52 The rainfall in the area was much less than the colonists had been led to expect, leading to crop failures.
Religion
English naval captain and
In January 1869 the Society established a mission at
Twinnings
- La Plata, Buenos Aires Province and Liverpool
- Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province and Nefyn, Gwynedd
- Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires Province and Folkestone, Kent
- Trelew, Chubut Province and Caernarfon, Gwynedd
Gallery
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Red telephone box in Buenos Aires
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The London Shop in Buenos Aires
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Recreation of the landing of Mimosa sailboat.
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Spanish-Welsh bilingual signage in Loma Maria (Bryniau Meri)
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Buenos Aires Scottish Guard
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Argentines ofScottish descent
See also
- Foreign relations of Argentina
- Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
- Argentina–England football rivalry
- Latin America–United Kingdom relations
- Latin American migration to the United Kingdom
- List of Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Argentina
- St. Andrew's Scots School
- University of San Andrés
- Buenos Aires English High School
- English Argentine
- Welsh Argentine
- Scottish Argentine
References
- .
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- ^ "Mauricio Macri se reunió con David Cameron en Davos". Infobae. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ^ "James Cleverly says Falklands are British as Argentina ends deal". BBC News. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Argentina: Kirsty Hayes" (Press release). GOV.UK. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "The new British Ambassador to Argentina presented her credentials". FCDO. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "British Embassy Buenos Aires".
- ^ "Nuevos datos provisorios del Censo 2022: Argentina tiene 46.044.703 habitantes".
- ^ "United Kingdom". 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects". Archived from the original on 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects". Archived from the original on 2 July 2017.
- ^ "- Human Development Reports" (PDF). January 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 November 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Ben Hughes, The British Invasion of the River Plate 1806-1807: How the Redcoats Were Humbled and a Nation Was Born (2014).
- ^ Rory Miller, Britain and Latin America in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (1995) pp 49-58.
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- ^ Elisabeth Barker, Churchill and Eden at War (1979) p 202.
- ^ Sophie Thérèse, and Thomas C. Mills Ambler, "New Perspectives on the Falklands War." International Journal of Military History and Historiography 1.aop (2022): 1-7. online
- ^ Ezequiel Mercau, The Falklands War: An Imperial History (Cambridge University Press, 2019).
- ^ "Blair y Kirchner adelantaron diálogo". BBC World Service (in Spanish). 14 July 2003. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ McDermott, Jeremy (30 June 2006). "Argentina renews campaign over Falklands claim". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017.
- ^ Bourne, Brendan (28 March 2009). "Gordon Brown rejects Argentina's claim to the Falklands". The Times (London).
- ^ Piette, Candace (22 April 2009). "Argentina claims vast ocean area". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
- ^ Boycott, Owen (24 April 2009). "Britain and Argentina dispute rights to seabed around the Falkland Islands". The Guardian.
- ^ "Oil drilling begins in the Falkland Islands". Channel 4 News. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012.
- ^ "Drilling for oil begins off the Falkland Islands". BBC News. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Argentina and the Falklands: Rocking the boat". The Economist. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ a b (in Spanish) Perú cancela la visita de una fragata británica en solidaridad con Argentina Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Mundo, 19 March 2012.
- ^ "David Cameron and Argentina's Cristina Kirchner in corridor clash over Falklands The Telegraph (UK)". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ Borger, J. (1 February 2013). "UK 'disappointed' as Argentina turns down talks over Falklands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina". The Guardian. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ "Falklands referendum: Voters choose to remain UK territory". BBC UK. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013.
- ^ Harriet Alexander & Victoria Ward (3 April 2015). "Argentina to take legal action against UK for Falklands drilling". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ Sherwell, Philip (9 April 2015). "Argentina summons British ambassador in Falklands oil row". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ "RAF plane lands in Argentina to join search for missing submarine". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 30 November 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ Axe, David (31 October 2020). "No FA-50s For You! U.K. Bureaucrats Swat Down Argentine Fighter Plan". Forbes.
- ^ "UK bars sale of South Korean fighter jets for the Argentine air force". MercoPress. 31 October 2020.
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- ^ Graham-Yooll, Andrew (3 July 1999). "Dos nostalgias" (in Spanish). Clarín. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "The Anglo-Argentine Society". The Anglo-Argentine Society. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
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- ^ Observer Sport Monthly (June 4 2006) – "Salvation army " Archived 5 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine URL accessed on 10 June 2006.
- ^ ISBN 0-7083-0579-2.
- ^ Wilkinson, Susan (September 1998). "Welsh immigrants in Patagonia: Mimosa, the old ship that sailed into history". (originally) Buenos Aires Herald. Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
- ^ a b "Anglicans in Argentina". Iglesia Anglicana Argentina. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
- ^ a b Millam, Peter J. (August 1997). "The Falklands – The World's Largest Diocese: "A Noble History and a Glorious Past"". Falkland Islands Newsletter (70). Falkland Islands: Falkland Islands Association. Archived from the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
- ISBN 978-1-58567-956-0
Further reading
- Ferns, H. S. Britain and Argentina in the nineteenth century (1960) online, a major scholarly study
- Ferns, H. S. “Investment and Trade between Britain and Argentina in the Nineteenth Century.” Economic History Review 3#2 1950, pp. 203–218. online
- Ferns, H. S. “Beginnings of British Investment in Argentina.” Economic History Review 4#3 1952, pp. 341–352. online
- Hennessy, Charles Alistair Michael, and John King. The Land that England lost: Argentina and Britain, a special relationship (IB Tauris, 1992).
- Livingstone, Grace. "British campaigns for solidarity with Argentina and Chile." Bulletin of Latin American Research 39.5 (2020): 614-628. In 1970s.
- Rock, David. The British in Argentina: commerce, settlers and power, 1800–2000 (Springer, 2018).