This work is devoted to the attempts of Great Britain to capture Rio de la Plata in 1806-1807. It is indicated that the British industry was increasingly in need of raw materials and markets for its products. The focus is on the most important events: the first military expedition led by Commander H.Popham, who captured Buenos Aires at the end of June 1806, and although he acted without orders from the British government, London approved of his actions; the uprising in Buenos Aires, led by Santiago Linier, forced the British troops under the command of General J. Beresford to capitulate; the second expedition under the command of General W.Whitelock was also defeated. The British did not foresee the determination of the people to defend their homeland. The intervention ended with the surrender on July 7, 1807. British troops left Rio de la Plata. The consequences of the victory of Buenos Aires were manifold. The people realized their strength, and victory was achieved without the help of the Spanish crown. These events became the first battle for independence. England abandoned attempts to capture Rio de la Plata. From now on, its main goal was economic penetration, opening markets for British trade and industry. The hard power turned into a soft one.
Vladimir Kazakov (Wed,) studied this question.