Soviet Invasion of Afganistan

Question 1

When did the PDPA (People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan - a communist party) overthrow the government?

Answer 1

27th April, 1978

Question 2

Who was Nur Muhammed Taraki?

Answer 2

Secretary General of the PDPA, became Prime Minister of newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

Question 3

What changed when Taraki came to power?

Answer 3

• reforms were introduced that greatly impacted many Afghan traditions in a deeply religious country.
• many senior religious figures and tribal leaders were arrested or killed.

Question 4

Who was Hafizullah Amin?

Answer 4

Deputy prime Minister of Afghanistan, he seized power in September 1979.

Question 5

Who was the mujahideen?

Answer 5

A guerrilla movement which proclaimed to be on a holy mission from Allah. It fought against the Communist Government.

Question 6

What was Amin’s relationship with the Superpowers?

Answer 6

Amin received equipment and advice from the soviet Union and his regime became dependant on it. However, he also wished to improve links with the USA.

Question 7

What was the Carter Doctrine?

Answer 7

Stated that the USA would use military force if necessary to defend it’s national interests in the Persian Gulf. This included the promise of military aid to all countries bordering Afghanistan.

Question 8

Describe the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Answer 8

The mujahideen was winning so Russia invaded to keep the Afghan Communist Party in control. Over 50,000 Soviet soldiers were sent. Amin was shot and replaced by Babrack Kamal, whose government needed 85,000 Soviet soldiers to keep in power.

Question 9

How many Soviet soldiers did Kamal need to remain in power?

Answer 9

85,000

Question 10

When was the invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 10

25th December 1970 to 1st January 1980.

Question 11

Who replaced Amin?

Answer 11

Babrak Kamel.

Question 12

How did the US react to events in Afghanistan?

Answer 12

Carter decided to take a firm stance.

• Carter Doctrine
• Armed the mujahideen
• Stopped grain shipments to Russia.
• Withdrawing technological aid equipment they had supplied to Russia.
• Led the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

Question 13

What were the results of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 13

• The US armed mujahidden continued to wage war against the Soviet assisted Afghan Government.
• The conflict became a war Russia could not win.