Imperial strategy and local credit. The Malvinas/Falkland Islands in the making of a Spanish frontier (1767-1774)

This article investigates the role of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands in the reconfiguration of Hispanic American space since 1767. It articulates three variables of analysis: the geopolitical importance of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands on a global scale, their place in the redefinition of the Spanish monarchy's imperial frontier, and the role played by the economic actors of the Rio de la Plata in the colonization of the archipelago. Using political, cartographical and fiscal sources, this work demonstrates that the consolidation of borders -a necessity for the Monarchy- depended on a confluence of interests with local financial oligarchies.

Automated summary

This article investigates the role of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands in the reconfiguration of Hispanic American space since 1767. It articulates three variables of analysis: the geopolitical importance of the islands globally, their position in the redefinition of the Spanish monarchy's imperial frontier, and the involvement of economic actors from Rio de la Plata in colonizing the archipelago. By using political, cartographical and fiscal sources, the study shows that establishing borders, crucial for the Monarchy, relied on a synergy of interests with local financial oligarchies.