Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Consequences
Consequence 1: Carter Doctrine
- One military consequence of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was
the Carter Doctrine.
- Carter stated that he would use military force if necessary to defend
it's national interests in the Persian Gulf if necessary.
- In addition to this, the Carter Doctrine also promised US military aid
to all of the countries bordering Afghanistan.
- The establishment of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (March
1980) was a mobile military force designed to rapidly move
locations depending on need.
- The organisation was largely focused upon countries in the Middle
East such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia for example.
- So, it is clear that one of the consequences of the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan in 1979 was President Carter's "tough" approach.
Consequence 2: Détente ending
- Another consequence of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was that
détente was essentially "dead" by 1980.
- Carter addressed the nation in January 1980 after the invasion took
place in December 1979.
- As part of this address he stated that there would be an embargo on
all grain sales to the Soviet Union.
- He also deferred on any cultural or technological exchanges that
were seen to be possible during the period of détente in the 1970's.
- Now it was forbidden to sell US technology to the Soviets,
highlighting a breakdown incommunication between the two
superpowers.
- By January 1980 it was clear that the Carter administration was no
longer engaged in the policy of détente, resulting in the indefinite
postponement of any further consideration of the SALT II
agreements because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Détente Narrative
Paragraph 1:
- Détente is a period of piece between two countries or groups that
previously were hostile with one another.
- After the Cuban crisis the USA and USSR wanted to get on better
and this saw a thaw in the cold war relations.
- Led to the introduction of SALT 1 in May 1972 (Strategic arms
limitation treaty).
- The main agreements were the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty stating
ABMs were only allowed at two sites; The Interim Treaty setting out
how many ICBMs, SLBM each side could have; the basic principles of
how to avoid nuclear war were set out.
, - This was good for international relations as it showed both sides
publicly wanting to show better relations especially through
President Nixon’s Moscow visit in 1974. But did not advance any
technology.
Paragraph 2:
- Led to Helsinki agreement in 1975 which was a peace agreement
between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
- They agreed on three baskets: the borders could not be moved in
Europe, they will internationally share trade, technology and
science, and that they'll respect human rights and freedoms of
speech, religion and free movement across Europe.
- This was significant as for the first time it seemed like the relations
were actually improving.
- In the same year Soviet and American astronauts worked on the
Apollo-Soyuz mission in space together.
- This was followed by the Salt II agreement in 1979 in which
President Carter and Brezhnev worked together.
- Agreements were made on the restriction of missile launchers and
strategic bombers, as well as a ban on testing new types of ICBMs.
There would now be a limit of 2400 strategic nuclear delivery
vehicles for each side.
- Despite these agreements there were signs that relations between
the two superpowers were beginning to fade.
Paragraph 3:
- Later in 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan on the 24th of
December.
- Afghanistan was bordered by Iran which saw an Islamic extremist
group take control of the country.
- The USSR were worried this could threaten the Soviet Union.
- They then supported an Afghan group to take over power but they
asked the west for advice so Brezhnev decided he could not trust
them in power.
- So to prevent this they invaded Afghanistan.
- The invasion was an example of the Soviets trying to spread
communism.
- The USA deemed that the USSR had used military force again to
spread communism.
- Carter withdrew SALT 2 from the Senate; increased spending on
arms and defense by 6%, and created the ‘Rapid Deployment
Force’ that could travel anywhere in the world at short notice and
take action.
- The Carter Doctrine was also created in response, promising to
support any Middle Eastern country with military support to fight
against the spread of communism.
- This saw the trust break between the USA and USSR and détente
ended between the superpowers.
Consequences
Consequence 1: Carter Doctrine
- One military consequence of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was
the Carter Doctrine.
- Carter stated that he would use military force if necessary to defend
it's national interests in the Persian Gulf if necessary.
- In addition to this, the Carter Doctrine also promised US military aid
to all of the countries bordering Afghanistan.
- The establishment of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (March
1980) was a mobile military force designed to rapidly move
locations depending on need.
- The organisation was largely focused upon countries in the Middle
East such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia for example.
- So, it is clear that one of the consequences of the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan in 1979 was President Carter's "tough" approach.
Consequence 2: Détente ending
- Another consequence of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was that
détente was essentially "dead" by 1980.
- Carter addressed the nation in January 1980 after the invasion took
place in December 1979.
- As part of this address he stated that there would be an embargo on
all grain sales to the Soviet Union.
- He also deferred on any cultural or technological exchanges that
were seen to be possible during the period of détente in the 1970's.
- Now it was forbidden to sell US technology to the Soviets,
highlighting a breakdown incommunication between the two
superpowers.
- By January 1980 it was clear that the Carter administration was no
longer engaged in the policy of détente, resulting in the indefinite
postponement of any further consideration of the SALT II
agreements because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Détente Narrative
Paragraph 1:
- Détente is a period of piece between two countries or groups that
previously were hostile with one another.
- After the Cuban crisis the USA and USSR wanted to get on better
and this saw a thaw in the cold war relations.
- Led to the introduction of SALT 1 in May 1972 (Strategic arms
limitation treaty).
- The main agreements were the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty stating
ABMs were only allowed at two sites; The Interim Treaty setting out
how many ICBMs, SLBM each side could have; the basic principles of
how to avoid nuclear war were set out.
, - This was good for international relations as it showed both sides
publicly wanting to show better relations especially through
President Nixon’s Moscow visit in 1974. But did not advance any
technology.
Paragraph 2:
- Led to Helsinki agreement in 1975 which was a peace agreement
between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
- They agreed on three baskets: the borders could not be moved in
Europe, they will internationally share trade, technology and
science, and that they'll respect human rights and freedoms of
speech, religion and free movement across Europe.
- This was significant as for the first time it seemed like the relations
were actually improving.
- In the same year Soviet and American astronauts worked on the
Apollo-Soyuz mission in space together.
- This was followed by the Salt II agreement in 1979 in which
President Carter and Brezhnev worked together.
- Agreements were made on the restriction of missile launchers and
strategic bombers, as well as a ban on testing new types of ICBMs.
There would now be a limit of 2400 strategic nuclear delivery
vehicles for each side.
- Despite these agreements there were signs that relations between
the two superpowers were beginning to fade.
Paragraph 3:
- Later in 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan on the 24th of
December.
- Afghanistan was bordered by Iran which saw an Islamic extremist
group take control of the country.
- The USSR were worried this could threaten the Soviet Union.
- They then supported an Afghan group to take over power but they
asked the west for advice so Brezhnev decided he could not trust
them in power.
- So to prevent this they invaded Afghanistan.
- The invasion was an example of the Soviets trying to spread
communism.
- The USA deemed that the USSR had used military force again to
spread communism.
- Carter withdrew SALT 2 from the Senate; increased spending on
arms and defense by 6%, and created the ‘Rapid Deployment
Force’ that could travel anywhere in the world at short notice and
take action.
- The Carter Doctrine was also created in response, promising to
support any Middle Eastern country with military support to fight
against the spread of communism.
- This saw the trust break between the USA and USSR and détente
ended between the superpowers.
