Year 11 - History
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils undergo a period study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the relationship between the USA and the USSR in this period.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the causes and consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Key Notes
- A communist group called the PDPA took control of Afghanistan in 1978 and governed with Soviet support.
- Reforms introduced by the PDPA to transform Afghanistan into a communist country were deeply unpopular.
- The USSR invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 to prevent the mujahideen from overthrowing the communist government.
- The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan increased tensions with the USA who responded with the Carter Doctrine.
- In response to the Soviet invasion, the USA led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Vocabulary To Learn
- secular: non-religious
- guerilla: warfare that involves using surprise attacks and hit-and-run tactics to fight a larger, more traditional military force
- Islamic fundamentalism: a strict interpretation of Islam that emphasises a return to traditional beliefs and practices
- economic sanction: a measure taken by one country to limit or stop trade with another country to pressure it to change its actions or policies
- boycott: when people refuse to buy, use or participate in something as a way to protest or bring about change
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Poorer people in Afghanistan supported the communist PDPA government.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
A communist group called the PDPA took control of Afghanistan in 1978 and governed with Soviet support. Reforms introduced by the PDPA to transform Afghanistan into a communist country were deeply unpopular.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'secular'
non-religious.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Poorer people in Afghanistan supported the communist PDPA government. Correction: The PDPA's land reforms were tainted by corruption and angered many poorer Afghans because they received poor quality land. Many Afghans opposed the PDPA's attempts to create a secular society, which they saw as an attack on their faith and culture.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Berlin, 1958-61: increased tensions Study Guide
- Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall Study Guide
- Causes of tension between the USA and USSR by 1945 Study Guide
- Cold War crises, 1958-70 Study Guide
- Détente and SALT I Study Guide
- Gorbachev's 'new thinking' Study Guide
- Reagan and the 'Second Cold War' Study Guide
- Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948 Study Guide
- The Berlin Crisis (1948) Study Guide
- The Cold War arms race Study Guide
- The collapse of the Soviet Union Study Guide
- The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Study Guide
- The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion Study Guide
- The end of the Cold War, 1970-91 Study Guide
- The fall of the Berlin Wall Study Guide
- The Helsinki Accords and SALT II Study Guide
- The Hungarian Uprising (1956) Study Guide
- The impact of the atomic bomb on US-Soviet relations Study Guide
- The origins of the Cold War (1941-58) Study Guide
- The Prague Spring (1968) Study Guide
- The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968) Study Guide
- The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan Study Guide
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