ATSS AO3 Flashcards
What was Khaled Hosseini’s upbringing like? (5 points)
Was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965, as the eldest of five children - remembers it as a “growing, thriving cosmopolitan city”
His mother worked as a Persian-language teacher at a girls’ high school, and his father was a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Spent most of his time living in Iran and in Paris, describing his upbringing as “privileged”
Spent 8 years in the upper-class Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood in Kabul
His sister Raya never faced discrimination for being a female
Which places did Khaled Hosseini move around to? (6 points)
1970 - Iran
Family moved as father worked for Embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran
1973 - Kabul -> 1976 - Paris
They couldn’t return to Afghanistan after that because of the Saur Revolution
In 1980, just after the start of the Soviet-Afghan war, they sought political asylum in the United States and resided in San Jose, California once they got it
Hosseini described the experience as “a cultural shock” and “very alienating” as he did not speak English when he arrived aged 15
Even though they had moved away, the family was aware of the circumstances back home that their friends and family were facing
What was pre-Communist Afghanistan like? (3 points)
Under the rule of King Zahir Shah, Afghanistan was a monarchy, representing stability and continuity
He held power until 1973 when his cousin, Prince Daoud Khan, led a coup and established a republic
Women had rights but the country was still a patriarchal society
How did Communist Afghanistan come to be and what was it like? (3 points)
A communist coup known as the Saur Revolution took place
The People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) seized power - established a communist government and had Afghanistan adopt socialist and communist ideologies
Initiated radical reforms, including land redistribution, women’s rights, and secularization of society
What were the beliefs and ideologies found in pre-Communist Afghanistan? (4 points)
Traditional Afghan culture emphasised tribal and familial ties - preserving families’ social status and honour
Pashtunwali, the Pashtuns’ code of conduct, was followed by many Afghans, particularly in rural areas- emphasised hospitality, honor, and revenge
Islamic values were readily taught by parents and those who had the opportunity to attend school
Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious landscapes along with the political turmoil led to variations in beliefs and practices
What was life like for women in Afghanistan? (4 points)
Limited access to education and employment - severely governed and constrained by social norms and practices
Married off at a young age - expected to transition from childhood to motherhood
Arranged marriages were influenced by factors like social status and family honor
They were expected to be subordinate to men, particularly their spouses - carried out societal norms of bearing children and being submissive housewives
What was life like for children in Afghanistan? (4 points)
Schools were scarce and extended families usually lived in one house
Boys tended to assist their father’s line of work
Girls would be taught how to be good mothers and servants to the men in their life
Children were brought up with Islamic cultural values
What was life like for men in Afghanistan? (3 points)
Agrarian society - most worked in trade, farming, livestock etc
Kabul was an urban area with a diversity of jobs that provided financial stability
Men had to support their entire family and any unmarried female relatives
Who were the Mujahideen? (2 points)
A group composed of various factions with different ethnic and ideological backgrounds
Included Afghan tribesmen and villagers - Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras etc.
What was the major issue with the Mujahideen rule? (5 points)
There was intense factional fighting and power struggles - different factions frequently clashed for control of key cities and regions
Civilians often found in the crossfire - significant casualties and displacement
Effects:
+ Destruction and displacement
+ Economic activity declined rapidly with the disruption of agriculture
+ Abuse of human rights (arbitrary detentions, torture, and killings)
How did the Mujahideen majorly impact Afghan history? (2 points)
USA, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries provided weapons, training, and financial aid to them - saw them as a means to weaken the Soviet Union
They played a significant role in the eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989 - led to the rise of the Taliban
Who were the Taliban? (3 points)
A group of former fighters took over Kandahar
Group quickly grew into the Taliban and pacified nearby areas, promising security and restoration of order
Took over Kabul in 1996 - killed Najibullah, the former president, and took control of over 2/3 of the country
What was the ideology of the Taliban? (5 points)
Mix of militant Islamism and Pashtunwali, Pashtun social and cultural norms
Viewed themselves as waging ‘jihad’ (a holy war) against foreign invaders like the US and other ‘enemies of Islam’
Completely rejected Western influence in their governance, democracy and culture
They wanted to:
+ Establish Afghanistan as an Islamic state and enforce their own version of religious morality
+ Consolidate power within Pashtun-majority regions of Afghanistan – strong ties to tribal identity
What was it like to live under the Taliban? (5 points)
Women were oppressed under the new regime as they couldn’t:
- Work
- Not wear a burqa
- Go to school if aged 10 and over
Punishments for crime included beatings, amputations, and public executions
Anything that ‘affronted’ Islam was destroyed e.g. the Bamiyan Buddha
It was mandatory for men to have beards
Television, music and cinema were banned
How did the Taliban’s rule end? (3 points)
Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden fled to Afghanistan in the wake of al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks.
As the Taliban refused to hand him over, US military and allies invaded and quickly overthrew the Taliban.
However, the Taliban leadership survived in southern Afghanistan and across the border in Northern Pakistan, from which they continued to battle against international troops and Kabul National Security
