The Collapse of Detente (Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan) (1979-1980)

Question 1

What key event took place in April 1978

Answer 1

The Kabul Revolution - communists seized power in Afghanistan

Question 2

Who became the communist President of Afghanistan after the Kabul Revolution?

Answer 2

Mohammed Taraki

Question 3

After civil war broke out following the Kabul Revolution, who did Taraki have to accept as his Prime Minister?

Answer 3

Taraki (communist) had to accept Hafizullah Amin, an Islamist.

Question 4

Did Taraki and Amin get on when they were in government?

Answer 4

No. In fact, Amin supporters assassinated Taraki in October 1979 and Amin seized the presidency of Afghanistan.

Question 5

When did the Soviets invade Afghanistan?

Answer 5

Christmas Day (25 December) 1979

Question 6

Why did Brezhnev order an invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 6

• Although Amin was a communist, the USSR did not trust him. He was also unpopular with Muslims and feared that Muslim groups would take control of the country
• The USSR was concerned that if Afghanistan became an Islamic State, it could influence other Soviet republics nearby
• Babrak Kamal, an Afghani communist, argued he had the support needed to take power but needed military aid to defeat Amin
• Brezhnev believed America would tolerate the invasion (as it had done with the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968)

Question 7

What happened to Amin after the Soviet invasion?

Answer 7

Amin was killed and Karmal, an Afghani communist, was declared president

Question 8

What was Afghanistan often referred to as?

Answer 8

The invasion was often referred to as ‘the Soviet Union’s Vietnam’ (because it was expensive, unpopular and ultimately the USSR did not win). (1.5m people died, including 15,000 Russians)

Question 9

How did the USA react to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 9

President Carter, appalled at Soviet aggression, issued the Carter Doctrine in January 1980`

Question 10

What was the Carter Doctrine?

Answer 10

The Carter Doctrine was committing the USA to preventing the USSR gain control of territory in the oil-rich Middle East

Question 11

Why was the Carter Doctrine significant?

Answer 11

The Carter Doctrine was significant because:

• it marked the end of detente
• it put the USA in a position of actively opposing Soviet actions in Afghanistan

Question 12

Who did Carter give military aid to in Afghanistan?

Answer 12

The Mujahideen - an Islamic organisation fighting against the Soviets

Question 13

What else did Carter do in relation to the USSR following its invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 13

• Carter imposed economic sanctions, stopping virtually all trade with the USSR
• Carter ended diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union

Question 14

What steps did Carter take to show that detente was truly over?

Answer 14

• He ensured SALT II (that he signed in 1979) was not ratified and therefore didn’t become law
• He increased US defence spending by 5%
• He told the military to prepare a plan for surviving a nuclear war with the USSR

Question 15

What did Carter organise for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games?

Answer 15

The USA led a boycott of the games. Around 60 countries joined in.

Question 16

What did the USA organise as an alternative to the Moscow Olympic Games?

Answer 16

The Liberty Bell Games

Question 17

What was the significance of the period between December 1979 and 1980?

Answer 17

• Relations between the two superpowers got much worse
• Detente collapsed
• The USA were now funding the Mujahideen who were directly fighting the Soviets
• Even sport, the Olympics, has become heavily politicized
• The relationship is as bad as it’s been since the Cuban Missile Crisis