Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

• 1.Iran had an Islamic Revolution in 1979 deposing the Shah of Iran

  2. Moscow didn’t want this Islamic fundamentalism to spread across its borders as there were many

  Muslims living within the USSR.

  3. Moscow wanted to ensure a pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan in order to protect its interests.
• 1a. In April 1978, a pro-Soviet government took control in Afghanistan and received economic assistance from Moscow.
• 2a. September 1979, Hafizullah Amin staged a popular coup and toppled the pro-Soviet government.
• 3a. At first Moscow supported him, however, Amin became increasingly unpopular as other pro-Muslim

  factions tried to overthrow him.
• 4a. When Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin was talking to USA about support, he decided to act. On

  24th December 1979, USSR invaded Afghanistan.
• 5a. USSR claimed they invaded in order to support Amin, however, Amin was assassinated on the 27th of

  December (1979) and replaced by a pro-Soviet leader called Babrak Kamal.
• 6a. USSR remained in Afghanistan for almost 10 years fighting opponents of Kamal.
• 1b. USA perceived this invasion as the spread of communism and worked hard to resist it, without becoming directly involved in the conflict.
• 2b. USA trained, armed and funded Muslim guerrilla fighters known as the Mujahedeen spending billions of dollars over the course of the war.
• 3b. USSR spent approx. $8 bn per year on the invasion and cost the lives of 15,000 Soviet troops and civilian casualties of 1.5 million deaths.
• 4b. The USA introduced the Carter Doctrine.
• 5b. US President Carter withdrew from SALT 2 and increased military spending. This formally ended the

  period of détente.
• 6b. Olympic boycotts of the 1980 Moscow games and 1984 LA games.
• What significant event occurred in Iran in 1979?

  Islamic Revolution deposed the Shah
• Why was Moscow concerned about the Islamic Revolution in Iran?

  It feared Islamic fundamentalism spreading to the USSR
• What was Moscow's goal regarding Afghanistan during the invasion?

  To ensure a pro-Soviet government
• When did a pro-Soviet government take control in Afghanistan?

  April 1978
• What type of assistance did the pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan receive?

  Economic assistance from Moscow
• Who staged a coup in Afghanistan in September 1979?

  Hafizullah Amin
• What happened to Hafizullah Amin after he staged the coup?

  He became increasingly unpopular
• What prompted Brezhnev to decide to invade Afghanistan?

  Rumors of Amin seeking US support
• On what date did the USSR invade Afghanistan?

  December 24, 1979
• What was the USSR's claim for invading Afghanistan?

  To support Amin's government
• What happened to Amin after the invasion?

  He was assassinated on December 27, 1979
• Who replaced Amin as the leader of Afghanistan?

  Babrak Kamal
• How long did the USSR remain in Afghanistan?

  Almost 10 years
• How did the USA perceive the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

  As the spread of communism
• What actions did the USA take in response to the invasion?

  Trained and funded the Mujahedeen
• How much did the USA spend on supporting the Mujahedeen?

  Billions of dollars
• How much did the USSR spend annually on the invasion?

  Approximately $8 billion
• What were the Soviet troop casualties during the invasion?

  15,000 Soviet troops
• What were the civilian casualties as a result of the invasion?

  1.5 million deaths
• What doctrine did the USA introduce in response to the invasion?

  The Carter Doctrine
• What action did President Carter take regarding SALT 2?

  He withdrew from SALT 2
• What was the effect of the invasion on the period of détente?

  It formally ended the period of détente
• What was a consequence of the invasion regarding the Olympics?

  Boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 games