The significance of the soviet invasion of Afghanistan Flashcards
Background of the invasion
In 1968 the soviet union sent tanks into Czechsolvakia to put down the Prague spring.
The US didnt do anything but disagreed with it
In 1979,Soviet union sent troops into Afghanistan a country wiht a communist gov to take control after the president was assasinated
The soviet invasion of Afghanistan
The soviet saw Afghanistan as in its sphere of influence as it was bordering the Soviet Union
When President Taraki was assasinated during the civil war and replaced by Amin the soviet union felt its influence in Afghsnidtan was threatened.
Brezhnev ordered Soviet troops to invade in December 1979.Barbrak Karmal was made president and Amin and many of his supoorters were killed
Soviet troops had to remain in the country to keep Karmal in power Afghan rebels known as the Mujahideen resissted these tropps
Why was carter worried
The USA was worried that communism would spread to the middle east
A successful invasion might mean it would influence Iran
Iran could block the Middle East oil exports at the straitz of Hormuz
What was the Carter Doctrine
(January 1980)The Carter Doctrine was when Carter the president of the US threatened to use force if the Soviets attempted to take control of the Persian Gulf.
The US imposed economic sanctions-There would be no trade with the soviets
The US, Saudi and Pakistan provided assistance to the Mujahideen.
The end of SALT 2?
in 1980 the US broke diplomatic relations with the Soviets and began to build up its own nuclear weapons
The Soviets responded with making their own weapons
What was the names of the missiles made by the US
The Cruise and The Pershing missiles
What was the name of the Missile made by the Soviets
The SS20
The Olympic Boycotts
The USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics Games in Moscow in retaliation to the soviet invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviets also did the same back for the 1984 Olympic games in LA
What was the consequences of the Olympic Boycotts
It brought an end to cooperation and sporting competition between the US and Soviets
What were the further consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan(The US)
It persuaded many Americans that the Soviet union could not be trusted
This helped the election of President Reagan in November 1980
What type of man was President Reagan
An anti communist with a tough attitude towards the soviets
What were the further consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan(The Soviet Union)
The Soviet troops remained in Afghanistan to keep Barbrak Karmal in power
These troops were repeatedly attacked by the Muhjahideen
Pressure was put on the Soviet leadership to end the unpopular war
