The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the causes and consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Key learning points
- 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.
Keywords
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 misconception
Poorer people in Afghanistan supported the communist PDPA government.
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.
Teacher tip
Share clips of the Moscow Olympics so students can see how the USSR attempted to use the Olympics to promote communism to the world and so they can better understand the impact of the American-led boycott. You could also share a clip of the opening ceremony of London 2012 as a point of comparison.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes when a decision, treaty, or agreement is formally approved and confirmed making it official?
Q2.Complete the sentence with the missing word: The Helsinki Accords are sometimes considered to be the high-point of ...
Q3.Why was SALT II not formally approved and confirmed making it official in the USA?
Q4.When were the Helsinki Accords signed?
Q5.Complete the sentence: Disagreements about were one source of tension between the USA and the USSR after the Helsinki Accords were signed.
Q6.Which of the following agreements were made as part of SALT II?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes warfare that involves using surprise attacks and hit-and-run tactics to fight a larger, more traditional military force?
Q2.Which word describes when people refuse to buy, use or participate in something as a way to protest or bring about change?
Q3.What was the name of the communist group who overthrew the government in Afghanistan on 27th April 1978?
Q4.Complete the sentence: Reforms introduced by the PDPA to transform Afghanistan into a communist country were deeply ...
Q5.How many Soviet troops crossed the border into Afghanistan between 24th December 1979 and 1st January 1980?
Q6.How did the USA view the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.