8.1 Flashcards
What was the PDPA?
People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan
What did the PDPA do?
On 27th April 1978
The PDPA overthrew the government of Afghanistan
Who initially became Prime Minister?
Nur Muhammed Taraki
What did the PDPA do in their first 18 months?
- Imposed a communist-style reform program
- Thousands of members of the Muslim religious establishment and intellectuals were imprisoned, tortured or murdered.
Who was Hazifullah Amin and what did he do?
He was the Deputy Prime Minister
He seized power from Taraki in September 1979
How did the mujahideen form?
Continued instablility because of renewed anti-Muslim policies
1000s of Afghan Muslims joined the mujahideen
They wanted to overthrow the government
They declared a jihad (holy war)
How did the Soviets help the PDPA?
- In 1978, they began a military assistance program
- This was increased due to the instability and guerilla movements
- Amin did not want to become too reliant on the USSR
- Wanted to improve links with the US
Why was Brezhnev concerned?
He was concerned about the growing power and spread of Islamic Fundamentalism
He saw it as a threat to the Soviet system due to the 30 million Muslims in the USSR
How long did the Soviet Invasion last?
10 years
1979-1989
When did the initial invasion begin?
25th December 1979 - 1st January 1980
More than 50,000 troops sent to Afghanistan to restore order and protect the PDPA from the mujahideen
What did Brezhnev claim about the invasion?
That the USSR was only complying with the :
1978 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourliness
that former President Taraki had signed
When was Amin shot?
27th December 1979
Who was Amin replaced by?
Babrak Kamal
who had been in exile in Moscow
How many Soviet soldiers were required to keep Kamal in power?
85,00 Soviet Soldiers
