HistoryExtra https://www.historyextra.com/author/mattelton Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:08:58 GMT en hourly 1 The stolen Native Americans who shaped US history https://www.historyextra.com/membership/the-stolen-native-americans-who-shaped-us-history/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:42:05 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/the-stolen-native-americans-who-shaped-us-history/ Historian Linford D Fisher discusses the enslavement of as many as 600,000 Native Americans between 1492 and 1880, and the impact that it had on tribal communities Between 1492 and 1880, as many as 600,000 Native Americans were enslaved in the area that would become the United States. That’s the figure estimated by historian Linford D Fisher in his book Stealing America: The Hidden Story of Indigenous Slavery in US History – one of the books shortlisted for the 2026 Cundill History Prize. In today’s episode, he speaks to Matt Elton about the extent of this slavery, the impact that it had on tribal communities, and its legacy today.
]]> Vanilla: a far from ordinary history https://www.historyextra.com/membership/vanilla-far-from-ordinary-history-podcast/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:55:08 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/vanilla-far-from-ordinary-history-podcast/ Eric T Jennings explains the history of vanilla, and how piracy, espionage and cut-throat capitalism have shaped its story It's now often used as an adjective for anything standard, plain, and borderline boring – but the history of vanilla is anything but. Eric T Jennings – whose book Vanilla: The History of an Extraordinary Bean is among the titles shortlisted for the 2026 Cundill History Prize – tells Matt Elton about the ways in which piracy, espionage and cut-throat capitalism have shaped its story.
]]> Beyond the podcast: History's Greatest Leaders https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/ Sun, 19 Jul 2026 23:01:09 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/ In our new series, entrepreneur Mike Soutar – author of Next Gen CEO and advisor on BBC One’s The Apprentice – talks to eight expert historians about some of the past’s most powerful people. Here, we’ve compiled our picks of the best reading, listening and viewing to help you learn more about each of these leaders, the periods in which they lived, and their lasting legacy From Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great to Walt Disney and Winston Churchill, our new podcast and video series profiles eight individuals who set out to achieve remarkable things despite the odds – using their skills and talents to shape the world around them.
And here we’ve put together a wealth of content from the HistoryExtra archive, bringing you all the context you need to make sense of their life and times.
]]> Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors? https://www.historyextra.com/membership/who-are-count-binfaces-novelty-political-predecessors/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:17:27 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/who-are-count-binfaces-novelty-political-predecessors/ A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the first novelty character to seek election and, in this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at some of the other contenders.
Plus, as Britain bakes in its third heatwave of the summer, we explore the ways in which extreme weather impacted on the lives of people in previous generations.
Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now
]]> The Falklands War: why did it happen? https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/falklands-war-history-facts-what-happened/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:20:00 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/falklands-war-history-facts-what-happened/ On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a remote British colony in the South Atlantic – sparking a short and decisive war that grabbed international headlines, created sizeable political drama, and involved great bravery and great tragedy. Explore when and why the conflict started, how it was won and what it meant for British domestic politics – with experts including Sir Max Hastings and Sir Lawrence Freedman On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a remote British colony in the South Atlantic. The UK, which had ruled the islands for nearly 150 years (though Argentina had long claimed sovereignty), quickly chose to fight and Britain's Navy sailed south to retake the Falklands. HistoryExtra's Matt Elton explores 12 big questions surrounding the conflict – and below, find expert insight from historians Sir Max Hastings and Sir Lawrence Freedman…
What was the Falklands War?
The Falklands War saw Britain and Argentina battle for control of the Falkland Islands – a tiny archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean made up of two main islands (dubbed East Falkland and West Falkland) and around 776 smaller outcrops.
When was the Falklands War and how long did it last?
The conflict was fought between 2 April and 14 June 1982, lasting for 74 days.
When and how did the Falklands War start?
On 2 April, Argentina invaded and occupied the British dependent territory of the Falkland Islands, and they took the neighbouring island of South Georgia the following day. However, neither Britain nor Argentina declared a state of war at any point, meaning the conflict remained, officially, an ‘undeclared war’.
Why did the Falklands War happen?
From an Argentine point of view, the war was sparked less by an ‘invasion’ and more by a reclamation of territory that was, by rights, theirs. The history of the Falklands is rather convoluted. France was the first nation to establish a colony on East Falkland in 1764, before the British claimed West Falkland as its own the next year. Five years after that, Spanish troops captured the fort of Port Egmont (Britain’s first settlement on West Falkland).
Fifty years on, a mercenary working for the United Provinces of the River Plate – a forerunner of what would later become Argentina – claimed possession of the islands. In 1833, the British reasserted their sovereignty and requested that the Argentine administration leave. Britain retained possession of the Falklands from that point on – but the issue of the islands’ sovereignty remained controversial.
In the early 1980s, Argentina was ruled by a military dictatorship – called a junta – and rocked by political unrest and economic crises. Its leadership believed that reclaiming the Falklands – the islands were about 300 miles off Argentina’s coastline, but over 8,000 miles from Britain’s shores – would appeal to nationalist sentiment and unite an increasingly fractious public behind the government.
In the early 1980s, Argentina was ruled by a military dictatorship – called a junta – and rocked by political unrest and economic crises. Its leadership believed that reclaiming the Falklands – the islands were about 300 miles off Argentina’s coastline, but over 8,000 miles from Britain’s shores – would appeal to nationalist sentiment and unite an increasingly fractious public behind the government. And the fact that the 150th anniversary of the 1833 British claim to sovereignty was approaching – which Argentina regarded as illegal – meant that speed was of the essence.
Did Britain have any idea what was about to happen?
If time was ticking for Argentina’s military leaders, the British had, in a sense, been attempting to run down the clock on the issue of the Falklands. In 1965, the United Nations had requested that the two nations reach some kind of agreement about the disputed sovereignty. And three years later, Britain made a commitment to the islanders that they would have the last word on the matter. Yet the people of the Falklands refused to consider Argentinian sovereignty, meaning that the British government was placed in an awkward position. In March 1982, the mistrust on both sides bubbled over and, on 2 April, Argentine forces landed at the islands’ capital, Stanley, before going on to invade the nearby island of South Georgia. By the end of the month, at least 10,000 Argentine troops were stationed in the Falkland Islands.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher declared an exclusion zone of 200 miles around the islands, and the British government set up a war cabinet to manage the crisis. A naval fleet – dubbed the British Task Force – that eventually included 127 ships was gradually assembled, starting with two dedicated aircraft carriers and two cruise ships redeployed for that purpose.
What was the sinking of the Belgrano and why was it controversial?
A Commando unit, SAS troops and members of the Special Boat Squadron retook South Georgia on 25 April. Yet it was the sinking of the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano by British forces on 2 May that has been remembered as the conflict’s first major engagement – and it proved to be one of the most controversial acts of the war. Despite being discovered by the submarine HMS Conqueror outside of the exclusion zone, the decision was made to torpedo the cruiser – leading to the loss of 323 Argentinian lives.
The decision to go to war was met with a positive reaction in Argentina, with crowds gathering outside the presidential palace to show their support. The state-monitored press helped stoke the patriotic atmosphere – one particularly striking front page depicted Margaret Thatcher sporting an eyepatch, with the headline “Pirate, witch and murderer: guilty!” The British press did their bit to stir up national sentiment, too, and The Sun’s headline in response to the sinking of the General Belgrano – “Gotcha” – remains one of the newspaper’s most famous (or infamous) front pages.
Two days later, Argentine forces launched a missile strike against a British destroyer, the HMS Sheffield, which caused massive damage. Twenty crew members were killed and another 24 injured, and the burning ruins of the vessel finally sank on 10 May. HMS Sheffield became the first Royal Navy ship to be sunk in action since the end of World War II. Several other British ships were also sunk during the course of the Falklands War, including HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope and SS Atlantic Conveyor.
Was it purely a naval conflict?
No – it was also fought on land and in the skies, notably after British commandos came ashore at Port San Carlos on the northwest coast of East Falkland on 21 May. Despite being known by British forces as ‘bomb alley’, due to repeated attacks by Argentine aircraft, the initial landing faced no resistance.
This wasn’t to last, though, and over the following days British ships faced an aerial onslaught before they managed to move men and equipment on to land.
Before reclaiming the Falklands’ capital, Stanley, British forces first headed southward to capture the East Falkland settlements of Darwin and Goose Green. Weather conditions were poor, and the ensuing battle, in late May, lasted a day and a night – some of it fought hand to hand. Although the British troops were hugely outnumbered, they were eventually successful and began the long slog east through peat bogs towards the capital.
When and how did the Falklands War end?
By 12 June 1982, British forces had reached high ground around the capital, Stanley, and surrounded and blockaded its port. A series of short battles ensued, but it was clear that the town was cut off. Argentina surrendered on 14 June. British rule was restored later that year.
How many died in the Falklands War?
The Falklands War left 650 Argentinian and 253 British people dead. Hundreds more were injured on both sides – the burns suffered by troops such as Simon Weston (a Welsh guardsman serving aboard the RFA Sir Galahad who was left with burns over 46 per cent of his body when his ship was bombed) became some of the most recognisable images of the conflict. Britain also captured around 11,000 Argentine prisoners, all of whom were freed when the fighting finished.
What did the Falklands War mean for Margaret Thatcher?
The conflict had received widespread popular support in Britain, possibly because the opening years of the 1980s had been characterised by bad news: economic recession, decline in industry, and – arguably – declining influence on the world stage. But the victory became a defining moment in British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s tenure.
As she put it in a speech in Cheltenham: “We have ceased to be a nation in retreat … we rejoice that Britain has rekindled that spirit which has fired her for generations past and which today has begun to burn as brightly as before.” It was a victory that was to translate into personal success for Thatcher: in the general election of the next year, her Conservative government won by the most decisive landslide since 1945.
What happened in Argentina?
The defeat was hugely damaging for Argentina’s military leadership, and civilian rule was reinstated in 1983 following the first free elections in a decade.
Did the Falklands War resolve the issue of sovereignty?
In a word: no. Although the two nations re-established relations in a joint statement in 1989, Argentina still maintains its claim to the Falklands islands, even adding it to its constitution in 1994. In a 2013 referendum, all but three islanders voted to remain a UK overseas territory – a result dismissed by the Argentine government as a “publicity stunt”.
Falklands War timeline: 10 key dates
Sir Max Hastings picks 10 key dates in the conflict
19 March 1982 | A group of Argentines (purportedly scrap metal workers) land on South Georgia
2 April | Argentine forces invade the Falklands, capturing the islands after a brief fight
3 April | The UN Security Council calls unsuccessfully for an end to hostilities and an Argentine withdrawal
5 April | The British task force sets sail for the south Atlantic
25 April | South Georgia is recaptured by British commandos. Meanwhile the main task force has reached the vicinity of the Falkland Islands
2 May | Argentine cruiser General Belgrano is torpedoed by British submarine HMS Conqueror, resulting in the deaths of 323. Aerial and naval combat is stepped up
21 May | After the failure of several international attempts to mediate, British troops land on the Falklands at San Carlos and establish a bridgehead
29 May | British troops attack the Argentine positions at Darwin and Goose Green, inflicting heavy losses
8 June | Argentine aircraft raid the British supply ships Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad, killing 48 and injuring dozens more
14 June | Having captured important defensive positions, British troops arrive in Port Stanley, compelling the Argentine garrison to surrender
Sir Max Hastings is a journalist, author and historian, who became a household name reporting on the 1982 battle for the Falkland Islands. Here he shares his memories of what he describes as Britain’s "last really popular war"
Was Queen Elizabeth II opposed to the Falklands War?
In Netflix drama The Crown, Queen Elizabeth II is seen looking distinctly unimpressed by events in the Falkland Islands. What did she really think of the war? Historian Dominic Sandbrook explains | Read more
What was the build-up to open warfare?
Sir Lawrence Freedman, official historian of the Falklands War, examines the build up to open warfare
Britain’s first surprise at the start of April 1982 was that it was at war; the second that it was able to respond at all to the Argentine seizure of the Falkland Islands.
Argentina believed the British had taken the islands illegally from them in January 1833. In December 1981 a new military junta, led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, determined that the islands should be retaken, if necessary by force, by the 150th anniversary of this event. The British government had shown little interest in the islands, but stood by a commitment to the islanders, made first in 1968, that gave them the final say over whether sovereignty should be transferred to Argentina.
The population was tiny, barely 1,800 and declining. The British government saw little long term future, and was reluctant to invest in making the Falklands prosperous and secure. Yet it could not persuade the islanders to join Argentina, even under a lease-back arrangement that would leave them under Argentine sovereignty but British administration. By 1982 it had no policy other than procrastination, hoping the islanders might one day change their minds.
In March the dispute blew up in unexpected fashion. The island of South Georgia, uninhabited other than by the British Antarctic Survey, was administratively linked to the Falklands and also claimed by Argentina, although its constitutional history was quite different. An Argentine scrap metal merchant had a legitimate contract to clear up an old whaling station. His men were taken to the island by the Argentine Navy avoiding any formalities that would have acknowledged Britain’s sovereignty.
Their aim was to establish a long-term presence as a means of asserting Argentina’s sovereignty. From this a crisis developed that got out of hand. The junta became convinced that the British would use the crisis to reinforce their naval presence in the South Atlantic, thwarting any later attempts to take the Falklands. They decided to implement their occupation plans at once. On 2 April the Falklands was taken and a couple of days later so was South Georgia, after spirited resistance from the small Royal Marines garrison.
A plea by US President Ronald Reagan to General Galtieri not to go ahead was ignored. This was a critical moment for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She had gained a reputation for being tough yet was about to preside over the loss of sovereign territory. The Royal Navy came to her rescue. The First Sea Lord, Sir Henry Leach, insisted it would be possible to send a task force to retrieve the islands and that it could leave within days.
The fact that this proved to be the case was testament to an extraordinary effort by the armed forces to pull together people and equipment at great speed. It also reflected poor Argentine timing, because they had picked a moment before British naval cuts agreed in 1981 had taken effect, and when one chunk of the fleet was gathered close to Gibraltar for exercises while the rest was back at port.
The fact that the Prime Minister could announce that a task force was sailing meant that political attention soon moved on from the humiliation of being caught out (helped by the resignation of foreign secretary Lord Carrington) and on to the campaign. The initial assumption was that sending a task force would create conditions for a diplomatic settlement. The US Secretary of State Alexander Haig shuttled between London and Buenos Aires trying to get a deal. Later, even after serious fighting had begun, the UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar also tried. The British agreed to substantial concessions, including a measure of Argentine influence over an interim administration while talks over the long-term future of the islands went ahead. The junta, however, could not bring itself in the end to concede that the talks might not end with a transfer of sovereignty. Diplomatic activity filled the weeks as the British task force sailed south.
How the British won the Falklands War
Sir Lawrence Freedman, official historian of the Falklands War, recounts what happened when the British task force reached the Falkland Islands
If an amphibious landing was going to be undertaken then first it would be vital to reduce the naval and air threat. The reduction of the naval threat was the result of one of the most controversial encounters of the war. As soon as the carrier battle group reached the Falklands area the commander, Admiral Sandy Woodward, managed to draw out the Argentine navy and air force by giving the impression of attempting a landing. The British Sea Harriers demonstrated their superiority in dogfights to the Argentine Mirage and Skyhawk aircraft.
Meanwhile the Argentine navy sought to catch the British fleet in a pincer movement. Woodward’s hope had been that a British submarine would be able to attack the sole Argentine aircraft carrier, but it had not been found. Meanwhile the old Argentine cruiser, the General Belgrano, had been found by a submarine, HMS Conqueror.
As this was outside the “exclusion zone” around the Falklands, within which the British had warned that any Argentine vessel could be sunk, a change in the rules of engagement was needed to permit an attack. This was agreed and the Belgrano was torpedoed by Conqueror on 2 May even though the Argentine pincer movement had by then been called off and the cruiser had turned away. This, and the loss of 323 lives in the attack, led to later controversy, including erroneous claims that the torpedo strike was really about scuppering a new peace initiative. The military effect was exactly as intended, as the Argentine navy never again ventured out.
Argentina gained revenge on 4 May when Super-Etendard aircraft executed an exocet missile attack on HMS Sheffield. The next most deadly bout of fighting came on 21 May, when 5 Commando Brigade was landed at Port San Carlos. The initial landing was unopposed, but soon waves of Argentine aircraft came in. Over the next few days the ships of the task force took a battering, four being sunk and many others damaged. By the end of the month men and equipment were ashore and the fighting switched to land. The first battle, for Darwin and Goose Green settlements, was extremely hard fought, and led to the death of the commanding officer of 2 Para, Colonel “H” Jones.
By 12 June British forces had reached the perimeter defences of the Argentine garrison in Stanley, the Falklands’ capital – achieved with a considerable physical effort by the troops and the use of the limited supply of helicopters and ships, with only one major mishap when Sir Galahad was caught as it was unloading troops at Bluff Cove, with the loss of 47 lives.
The British launched their final push in a series of short but intense battles until finally the Argentine will collapsed. On 14 June 1982 the Argentine garrison surrendered.
The war cost some 650 Argentine and 253 British dead and did not settle the dispute: Argentina still claims the Falklands. If it had left well alone in 1982, depopulation would eventually have left the Falklands unviable. Instead the victory led to firmer British commitment, and so the Falklands is more prosperous and secure than ever before.
Sir Lawrence Freedman is emeritus professor of war studies at King’s College, London
This content was first published in the July 2020 issue of BBC History Revealed and the April 2007 issue of BBC History Magazine
]]> Why has the UK had so many prime ministers this decade? https://www.historyextra.com/membership/why-has-the-uk-had-so-many-prime-ministers-this-decade/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:16:39 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/why-has-the-uk-had-so-many-prime-ministers-this-decade/ Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by journalist, author and documentary-maker Phil Tinline, who explores the roles that technology, devolution and a sense of disenfranchisement have played in this story of Kier Starmer's resignation – and the instability that has given the UK seven PMs in ten years The news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party means that the UK is set to have its seventh PM in ten years. But what are the historical factors that have led to this instability? And what comparisons can we meaningfully draw to the political unrest of previous decades, including the 1920s and 1970s?
In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by journalist, author and documentary-maker Phil Tinline, who explores the roles that technology, devolution and a sense of disenfranchisement have played in this story – and the key moments that we might otherwise overlook.
Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now
]]> How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries? https://www.historyextra.com/membership/how-were-societys-super-rich-seen-in-past-centuries/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:07:26 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/how-were-societys-super-rich-seen-in-past-centuries/ Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Elon Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place.
Meanwhile, a high-profile row about defence spending here in the UK has led to the resignation of two government ministers – but such arguments are nothing new. We look back at previous debates around how state finances have been used during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, and where the extra money has come from.
Finally, with the men's World Cup in full swing, we look back at a particularly unusual game of football in 17th-century Florence.
Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now
]]> How has war impacted economies of the past? https://www.historyextra.com/membership/how-has-war-impacted-economies-of-the-past/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:02:16 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/how-has-war-impacted-economies-of-the-past/ There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle some of the most dramatic examples, from medieval England to the Second World War. Plus, with Britain experiencing unprecedented spring heat in recent weeks, we investigate the draw of swimming when the temperature rises – and the surprising role it played in a key moment of international diplomacy.
Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now
]]> The World of Cleopatra | Podcast series https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-egypt/the-world-of-cleopatra-podcast-series/ Sun, 24 May 2026 08:53:54 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-egypt/the-world-of-cleopatra-podcast-series/ In this four-part HistoryExtra series, Professor Islam Issa explores the life and times of one of the ancient world's most famous figures – and why she still captivates us today We often think of Cleopatra in two-dimensional terms – as a bewitching beauty who used her charm to maintain power. But, in this podcast series, Matt Elton is joined by Professor Islam Issa to paint a more rounded picture of the ancient queen.
Across four episodes, they chart the forces and figures who shaped her early life, how she navigated the shifting sands of political and familial conflict, and the talents and skills that allowed her to negotiate her complex world. Finally, they examine why Cleopatra remains so captivating today, thousands of years on – and how we should remember her in the 21st century.
]]> Cleopatra’s death – and cultural afterlife https://www.historyextra.com/membership/cleopatras-death-and-cultural-afterlife/ Sun, 24 May 2026 06:46:25 GMT https://www.historyextra.com/membership/cleopatras-death-and-cultural-afterlife/ From her supposed death by snakebite to the location of her tomb, Cleopatra's final chapter is surrounded in mystery. Islam Issa reveals the truth behind the myth The final chapter of Cleopatra’s life is shrouded in mystery. Did she really take her own life? Was an asp involved? And why don’t we know where her tomb is? In this final episode of our four-part Sunday Series on the ancient queen’s life and times, Islam Issa – professor of public humanities at Birmingham City University – tackles these questions, and explores just why Cleopatra continues to fascinate us, thousands of years later.
Go Beyond the Podcast
Captivated by Cleopatra? Matt Elton has curated a collection of essential reading, listening and viewing from the HistoryExtra vaults to help bring the ancient queen to life.
And don’t miss our HistoryExtra Academy Royal Women, with Professor Kate Williams, for more on some of the past’s most powerful female leaders – from Cleopatra to Elizabeth II.
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