Geography, war, and nationalism. The Argentinean Society of Geographic Studies (GAEA) at the patriotic crossroads of the military government .

Abstract

The coup d’etat in Argentina in 1976 constituted a dictatorship that brought about a paradigm shift from the traditional foreign policy pursued by the country. Thus, the military government came into conflict with neighboring countries, such as the Argentinean-Chilean boundary dispute hovering on the edge of an armed confrontation in 1978. More unfortunate though was the war against Great Britain over the possession of the Malvinas Islands. In this context, the leading members of the GAEA (Argentinean Society of Geographic Studies) felt the urge to fulfill a role in creating, fostering, and transmitting what they called territorial conscience. Catering for what they believed to be the demands of deep-rooted popular patriotic feelings, the society rescheduled the agenda of themes to be researched on in the field, made announcements, organized conferences and meetings, and took a position on the territorial conflicts before the governmental powers.