The Soviet-Afghan War Flashcards
What was the situation in Afghanistan like in the 1970s, including Soviet involvement, according to Mamaux?
Government of Mohammad Daoud received US aid but wanted neutrality, not tension, with US and USSR. Soviets began training Afghan officers, who in turn became Marxism supporters (this would lead to the 1978 coup). Afghanistan was seen as part of Soviet sphere.
How did the PDPA seize power according to Mamaux?
April 1978, Afghan army seized power by executing Daoud and installing People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Marxist regime.
Who governed the PDPA? What actions did the PDPA take after seizing power (Mamaux)?
It was governed by Nur Muhammad Taraki. Afghanistan was renamed the DRA, Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Starting implementing reforms: land reforms, gender equality, secular education. It was expected to gain support but was fraught with factionalism.
How did the Soviets and the Afghans collaborate in December 1978 (Mamaux)?
They signed an agreement: Soviets would assist Afghanistan in modernizing by providing advisors (and military assistance, if needed). PDPA was dependent on Soviets almost from the beginning.
Why was it bad for the PDPA to have such dependence on the Soviets (Mamaux)?
It weakened the moral authority of the government, and it therefore sparked more anti-government attacks.
How did rural areas react to the reforms (Mamaux)? What was the PDPA’s response?
They resisted them, so PDPA arrested/executed people for their resistance, killing ~27K people.
How did the Mujahideen start to emerge? (Mamaux)?
They were rebel forces who began to oppose the PDPA, and they were a loosely-organized coalition. They were largely religious fundamentalists, and they relied on support from local warlords. Their resistance started to target the PDPA and the Soviets,.
In March 1979, how did the Afghan army respond to the reform intended to install women in the government (Mamaux)? How did the Soviets react, and what was the effect?
They mutinied in the city of Herat and killed 5000 Afghans and 100 Soviet advisors. Marxists responded and attacked Herat, killed 24K people, but this caused about half of the army to desert or join the rebels.
What happened to Taraki in September 1979? (Mamaux)
His former collaborator, Hafizulla Amin, overthrew and killed him and took power over the PDPA, demonstrating the party’s own instability and the outbreak of civil war.
How did the Soviets view Amin? (Mamaux)
They saw him as radical and a threat. He asked the Soviets for aid 19 times from March to December 1979, and then he asked the US for help, which worried the Soviets because it was hinted that the US was willing to deploy nukes to Afghanistan.
What were the three main concerns for the Soviets if Afghanistan left their sphere (Mamaux)?
The Soviets would lose power relative to the US, the Brezhnev Doctrine would look weak, and religious fundamentalism might sweep into other Soviet states.
How did Soviet leaders respond to the idea of an invasion (Mamaux)?
Leaders were divided. Initial reluctance to invade, especially with SALT II signing approaching, but defence minister Ustinov and KGB head Andropov insisted on overthrowing Amin and reinforcing Afghan borders.
When/how did the invasion take place, and how was it justified? (Mamaux)
December 1979, USSR invaded Afghanistan, using Brezhnev Doctrine as justification and claiming that Afghanistan had asked for help. 10,000 paratroopers took Kabul, killed Amin, replaced with Babrak Karmal.
Why was the situation considered “tenuous” when the invasion happened? (Mamaux)
70K Soviet troops by Dec 1979, with no clear plan. Soviets controlled cities and highways, but US supported guerrillas who controlled countryside. Soviets realized by 1981 that they could not solve domestic Afghan problems, but they felt the need to maintain socialism in Afghanistan.
What was the Western reaction to the Soviet invasion? (Mamaux)
US boycotted Summer Olympics 1980 and limited grain/tech sales to USSR. Some other nations followed suit. Rebel forces gained US aid through Operation Cyclone (US was funding groups that would become the Al Qaeda and Taliban).
