Afghanistan

• Why did the soviet union Invade Afghanistan?

  Wanted it to be a barrier to protect it from the spread of Muslim fundamentalism.
• Short term cause of soviet invasion-

  Put in pro soviet government with economic aid, until AMIN took over. Brezhnev was happy to work with AMIN until he found out USA might offer more to support him
• When was the Invasion of soviet into Afghanistan?

  1979
• What reason did USSR say they had to invade?

  Claimed AMIN wanted them to invade to protect his government from Islamic terrorists, however amin was assassinated and replaced with pro soviet leader Kamal
• What was the USA reaction to invasion?

  • Saw it as aggression , went against Helsinki Accord
  • Carter said it was threat, refused to sign SALT 2
  • Carter sent weapons and money to help the Mujahedeen against the USSR, this INCLUDED OSAMA BIN LADEN
• wHAT WAS IMPACT OF INVASION BETWEEN ussr RELATIONS AND USA?

  • Détente definitely finished
  • Believed USA on purpose over reacted
  • Reagan became president and wanted america to be more powerful/ against USSR
• What happened in the Moscow Olympics? 1980

  USA boycotted Olympics along with 60 other countries

  Proved USA influential

  4 years later USSR boycotted Olympics with 15 other communist countries