S3: Soviets in Afghanistan

Question 1

How did the Cold War affect the Third World?

Answer 1

-Ideological battle between USA and SU over countries
-Increasing military support (cuban missile crisis)
-Third world aid was costly for Moscow, but they could abandon fellow socialists
-1970s: Third world went the way of SU (Vietnam, Ethiopia, Somalia, Angola, Afghanistan)

Question 2

What were the domestic effects of Soviet foreign policy?

Answer 2

-Competition for Third world changes Moscow’s relationship with Central Asia and Caucasus, need to overcome colonialism at home to lead anti-colonialism abroad
-Soviet citizens travel internationally to spread ideas
-By 1980’s many SU citizens question costs of foreign policy, such as controversial SU - Afghan war

Question 3

What were some factors that caused trouble in the relations between SU and China?

Answer 3

• Conflict of interests in Third world: both China and SU wanted power.
• China wanted to be independent of SU communism
• Different vision on communism between Mao and Khruschev

Question 4

What was the Saur revolution?

Answer 4

• Coup d’etat in 1978 in Afghanistan
• Overthrew Afghan president Mohammed Daoud Khan (was in power since coup d’etat in 1973)

Question 5

Soviet - Afghan war (1979)

Answer 5

• Started with operation storm-333, killed the government that was established year earlier.
• The other faction of the government that was present took power and called the help of the SU.
• After this they met fierce resistance of Mujahadeen fighters
  -These fighters were backed by Pakistan and the US. Which supplied them money and weapons.