The Cold war: Afghanistan 1979

Question 1

What resulted in the soviet inv of afgh

Answer 1

• USSR scared of Iranian Islamist Fundamentalist groups influencing muslims in com countries to have revolution, so wanted Afgh as a protective ‘buffer state’
• Amin became leader of Afgh, was unpopular, Mujahedeen threatened to overthrow him which USSR didnt want
• Amin was rumored in talks w USA for support

Question 2

Describe the invasion of afgh (Dec 1979)

Answer 2

-Soviets invade (claiming Amin wanted them to fight Islamist revolutionist oppositions)
- Soviets assassinate Amin and Pro-Soviet leader Kamal appointed leader
- Soviets remained in afgh for 10 yrs to fight any oppositions of Kamal, to maintain pro-Soviet gvrnmt

Question 3

What did the Soviet Invasion of Afgh cause

Answer 3

• End of Détente period (Carter refused to sign SALT 2)
• The Carter Doctrine (1980)
• US elected Ronald Reagan (1981)
• Moscow Olympic Boycotts (1980)
• LA Olympics Boycotts (1984)

Question 4

what was the Carter Doctrine (1980)

Answer 4

• Carter accused USSR of trying to spread communism
• said USA would use force if necessary
• placed economic sanctions on USSR (stop US farmed exports)
• USA would support Mujahedeen w weapons and money (Pashtun Islamic Fundamentalist Group)

Question 5

Why was Reagan elected after the Soviet Inv of afgh (1981)

Answer 5

• strongly anti-communist
• committed to standing up against communism

Question 6

USA-led boycotts against Moscow Olympics (1980)

Answer 6

• protest against Afghan invasion
• US athletes would have passport revoked if they went
• 60 countries joined in protest

Question 7

USSR-led boycott against LA Olympics (1984)

Answer 7

• retribution for USA-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics
• 14 countries participated in boycott