Chapter 8: Flashpoint's between East and West

Question 1

Reasons for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

25 December 1979

Answer 1

The “Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan” took over Afghanistan (Very Communist)
Led by Amin
They were very strict, and imprisoned, tortured and murdered traditional Muslim Elite and political opposition

Muslims waged a holy war
Soviets gave military advice, but the PDPA became very reliant on them

Amin wanted relations to America, did not want to fully rely on the Soviets

Question 2

Narrative account of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 1978 - 1988

Answer 2

25 December 1979 - 1980: 50,000 Soviet troops were sent over
27 December: Amin was shot and replaced by Bubrak Kamal, who was completely reliant on the Soviets
(Amin had wanted relations with America)
Many Afghan troops deserted to the Holy war (the Mujahideen)
85,000 Soviet troops in Afghan to keep the power

Question 3

Consequences of the Soviet Invasion for the Soviets

Answer 3

Both sides lost lots:
10 years, 1.5 million dead (including 15,000 soviets)

Soviet economy was drained after 10 years of war
Worsened superpower relations

Boycott of the Moscow olympics (1990)
Boycott of the los angeles olympics (1994)

China - Soviet relations worsened

Question 4

Consequences of the Soviet Afghanistan invasion for superpowers

Answer 4

Olympic boycotts
Carter doctrine
America (Carter) made sure they would protect their interest in the region
They supplied weaponry to the jihadists
Cancelled shipments of grain and technology to the Soviets

End of detente
Restart of the arms race

Delay of Salt II

Question 5

What was the Carter Doctrine

Answer 5

This was created in 1979
It stated that the USA would use military force if necessary to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf region. This meant all countries bordering Afghanistan as well, as well ad assisting the Mujahideen

It also led to the creation of a quick strike military force that could intervene anywhere at short notice (Rapid deployment force)

Question 6

Why were the olympic boycotts significant?

Answer 6

The olympics are a time where all arguments are put aside and the world is united to play sports

So the US boycotts are extremely important because it showed how seriously the US were taking the Soviet invasion. It put serious attention and pressure on the Soviets

Question 7

What was Reagans attitude towards his presidency

Answer 7

Reagan emphasised fighting Communism, and was keen to increase the US defence spending. He wanted to raise the US’s world standing to the same level it had had after WW2. He also wanted to avoid the embarrassment of the Vietnam war, the hostage crisis in Iran and the Soviets increasing influence in Africa

Question 8

What was Reagans defence policy and its significance

Answer 8

He announced the program, and that between 1981 - 1987, it would cost 1 trillion dollars. It included new stealth bombers, six trident submarines, the neutron bomb and deployed cruise missiles in west Europe, worsening relations

Question 9

What three more events did Reagan do which worsened relations

Answer 9

1. The zero option, was where Reagan offered the USSR no deployment of new US intermediate-range missiles for the dismantlement of the Soviet comparable forces
2. Reagans ‘evil empire’ speech, which was again bad for relations
3. Polish solidarity, where Reagan supported a banned Polish trade union

Question 10

What was the SDI, “star wars” programme?

Answer 10

This was a ground, space based laser armed anti-ballistic missile system that would destroy incoming missiles

1. A nuclear missile would be launched at the US
2. Satellites would detect the launch and send feedback ground based lasers
3. A Laser beam is directed at mirror satellites
4. The beam is reflected to one of many battle satellites
5. Beam is directed at the missile and destroyed

Question 11

What was the significance of the SDI programmes

Answer 11

• It broke the Outer space treaty of 1967, which banned superpowers from using space technology for war
• It made the USSR’s missiles useless and therefore forced them to disarm
• The USSR was behind in computer technology as they were worried that it would be used by anti-communist’s
• The USSR could no longer afford to compete with this kind of technology
• Part of Reagans plan was that the USSR would try to compete with the technology and the economy would collapse