The Islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans. France established a colony on the islands in 1764. In 1765, a British captain claimed the islands for Britain. In early 1770 a Spanish commander arrived from Buenos Aires with five ships and 5,400 soldiers forcing the British to leave Port Egmont. https://muse.union.edu/2020-isc080-roprif/2020/05/29/impact-of-covid-on-racial-ethnic-minorities/comment-page-8929/?replytocom=892174#respond