The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979 Flashcards
Cause 1 - The Overthrowing of the Shah of Iran and threats to the new ruler of Afghanistan - Hafizullah Amin
The USSR became alarmed because of the overthrow of the Shah in Iran when a fundamentalist Muslim government took over. The USSR wanted a buffer zone between Iran and the USSR, which had a large Muslim population. A pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan was then toppled in September 1979 when a man called Amin staged a coup.
Cause 2 - Brezhnev acted to stop Amin getting support from the USA
Amin looked like he was going to ask the USA for support because it looked like fundamentalist Muslim groups might overthrow him.
Event 1 - Russia invades, using a ‘friendship treaty’ as an excuse
On December 24th 1979, Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. They claimed that they had been invited by Amin to support his government against terrorists.
Event 2 - The USSR ends up occupying Afghanistan for ten years
Amin was assassinated (probably by Soviet commandos) on 27th December and replaced by the pro-Soviet Babrak Karmal. The Soviets then remained in Afghanistan for almost 10 years, fighting opponents of Kamal (funded by the CIA).
Consequence 1 - End of SALT II, Carter Doctrine
The Americans saw the invasion as an attempt to spread communism abroad, which they had fought hard to resist. President Carter claimed it was the biggest threat to world peace since the end of WWII. He withdrew SALT II from the Senate and increased spending on arms. He issued the Carter Doctrine, which said that the USA would repel with force, if necessary, any threats to American interests in the Persian Gulf.
Consequence 2 - Olympic Boycotts
The invasion contributed to the 1980 Olympic boycott in which over 60 countries supported the USA by not attending the 1980 Moscow Olympics. This embarrassed the USSR and increased tension between the superpowers.
