Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan 1979 - The End Of The Cold War Flashcards
Why were the Soviets interested in Afghanistan?
The Soviets were interested in Afghanistan as they had formed a buffer zone (in 1979, a revolution had overthrown the Shah, replaced by a muslim fundamentalist government). In order to protect Soviet interests, it was important to ensure that there was a pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan
What happened on April 1978?
In April 1978, a pro -Soviet govemment under Taraki took control in Afghanistan and received economic assistance from Moscow.
What happened on September 1979?
In September 1979, the pro-Soviet government was toppled when Hafizullah Amin staged a popular coup. At first, Moscow supported Amin, but his government became increasingly unpopular as pro-Muslim factions tried to overthrow him. When Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin was talking to the USA about possible American support he decided to act
What happened on the 24th December 1979?
On the 24th December 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan . They claimed they had been invited in by Amin to support his government against terrorists
What happened on the 27th December 1979?
On the 27th December 1979, Amin was assassinated (almost certainly by the Soviet commando) and replaced by the pro-Soviet Babarak Kamal.The Soviets remained in Afghanistan for 10 years, fighting oponents of Brabrak Kamal
What were the consequences of the Soviet invasian of Afghanistan 1979?
- End of Détente
- Salt 2 abandoned
- Second Cold War begins
- War costs Soviet Union 8 billion per year
- Afghanistan government replaced
- USA supplies muja hideen with money and weapons
- 1.5 million civilian deaths
- Soviet boycott of Los Angeles Olympics
- US boycott of Moscow olympics
- Carter Doctrine announced to protect the US interests in the gulf
- Economic sanctions imposed on Soviet Union by USA
- War in Afghanistan lasts 10 years
What were the characteristics of the Afghanistan War?
- Communism was against Afghanistan traditions
- Afghanistan underestimated their enemy
- Soviets were non-belivers which incredibly puts them into conflict with Afghanistan and their people
- Guerilla → not conventional warfare
- ambushes
- Sabotage
