Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan 1979 - The End Of The Cold War

Question 1

Why were the Soviets interested in Afghanistan?

Answer 1

The Soviets were interested in Afghanistan as they had formed a buffer zone (in 1979, a revolution had overthrown the Shah, replaced by a muslim fundamentalist government). In order to protect Soviet interests, it was important to ensure that there was a pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan

Question 2

What happened on April 1978?

Answer 2

In April 1978, a pro -Soviet govemment under Taraki took control in Afghanistan and received economic assistance from Moscow.

Question 3

What happened on September 1979?

Answer 3

In September 1979, the pro-Soviet government was toppled when Hafizullah Amin staged a popular coup. At first, Moscow supported Amin, but his government became increasingly unpopular as pro-Muslim factions tried to overthrow him. When Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin was talking to the USA about possible American support he decided to act

Question 4

What happened on the 24th December 1979?

Answer 4

On the 24th December 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan . They claimed they had been invited in by Amin to support his government against terrorists

Question 5

What happened on the 27th December 1979?

Answer 5

On the 27th December 1979, Amin was assassinated (almost certainly by the Soviet commando) and replaced by the pro-Soviet Babarak Kamal.The Soviets remained in Afghanistan for 10 years, fighting oponents of Brabrak Kamal

Question 6

What were the consequences of the Soviet invasian of Afghanistan 1979?

Answer 6

• End of Détente
• Salt 2 abandoned
• Second Cold War begins
• War costs Soviet Union 8 billion per year
• Afghanistan government replaced
• USA supplies muja hideen with money and weapons
• 1.5 million civilian deaths
• Soviet boycott of Los Angeles Olympics
• US boycott of Moscow olympics
• Carter Doctrine announced to protect the US interests in the gulf
• Economic sanctions imposed on Soviet Union by USA
• War in Afghanistan lasts 10 years

Question 7

What were the characteristics of the Afghanistan War?

Answer 7

• Communism was against Afghanistan traditions
• Afghanistan underestimated their enemy
• Soviets were non-belivers which incredibly puts them into conflict with Afghanistan and their people
• Guerilla → not conventional warfare
  
  • ambushes
  • Sabotage