Afghanistan

Question 1

Why did the soviets invade afghanistan in 1979?

Answer 1

Muslim fundamentalism spread to Iran and the Soviets didn’t want this ideology within their borders. Afghanistan acted as a buffer between Iran and the soviet union so it was in the Soviet’s interest to have a pro soviet government there. Brezhnev also wanted access to middle eastern oil

Question 2

Muslim fundamentalist

Answer 2

Seek to institute Islamic law over western influences

Question 3

Taraki

Answer 3

April 1978- pro soviet leader of Afghanistan. Supported by Moscow.

Question 4

Hafizullah Amin

Answer 4

September 1979- staged a popular coup, supported by moscow at first. Other pro Muslim factions attempted to overthrow him and he lost popularity. Soviets grew suspicious that he could’ve had links to the US.

Question 5

The invasion if Afghanistan

Answer 5

December 24th 1979- Soviet forces invade claiming that Amin invited them to fight terrorists. December 27th- Amin assasinated and replaced by pro soviet leader, Babrack Kamal. Soviet forces remained in the country for nearly a decade fighting off Kamal’s opponents.

Question 6

American reaction to Afghanistan

Answer 6

Americans saw it as an attempt to spread communism and president Carter withdrew the agreements of SALT II. Starts supplying the Mujahideen

Question 7

Carter Doctrine 1980

Answer 7

The USA would repel by force ,if necessary, to any threats to American interests in the Persian Gulf.

Question 8

Afghanistan-consequences for the world

Answer 8

Second cold war begins, officially ends détente, boycott of Moscow and los Angeles olympics

Question 9

Afghanistan consequences for Soviet union

Answer 9

Economic sanctions placed by USA, war cost 8Billion USD per year, war lasts ten years

Question 10

Consequences for Afghanistan

Answer 10

Soviet controlled government, 1.5 million civillian deaths