Key People
Mohammed Zahir Shah- Mohammed Zahir Shah was the last King of Afghanistan and reigned from 1933 until 1973. He was able to rule through a new constitution that was created in 1964 and made Afghanistan into a democracy with free elections, a parliament, and women's rights. He made the decision to abdicate, in fear of a civil war, when a coup was led against him by his cousin, Mohammed Daud Kahn. Mohammed Daud Kahn- Mohammed Daud Kahn overthrew the monarchy before him under the rule of his cousin Zahir Shah and created a republic. In 1973, he became the first President of Afghanistan. His rule ended in 1978 with his assassination by the communist PDPA during the Saur Revolution. Nur Mohammed Taraki- Nur Mohammed Taraki was an Afghan politician who led the radical Khalq faction of the PDPA and eventually became prime minister when overthrew Daud. He was known for initiating the Saur Revolution and the creating of the Communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan which led to the Afghan Civil War. He also persuaded the Soviet Union to aid the communist so civil order could return to Afghanistan. Babrak Karmal- Babrak Karmal was a Afghan Politician and became the leader of the Parcham PDPA, a sect of the PDPA when it split. He also became President of Afghanistan after Daud Kahm and ruled from 1979-86. He was made President by the Soviet Union as the leader of their Puppet Government. Leonid Brezhnev- General secretary of the Central committee of the communist party of the Soviet Union from 1964-82. Brezhnev ordered the initial Soviet deployment of their army in December of 1979. Mikhail Gorbachev- Mikhail Gorbachev was the President of the Soviet Union from 1990-91 and was the 8th and final leader. He was the youngest of all Soviet leaders and is known for his two main policies: Perestroika and Glasnost meaning "restructuring" and "openness". Key Terms PDPA- PDPA stands for People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. The PDPA was a communist group that helped Daud Kahn overthrow his cousin Zahir Kahn and also seized power from Daud later during the Saur Revolution. The PDPA was dissolved in March of 1992. Mujahideen- Mujahideen refers to the Muslim Afghan warriors in the Soviet-Afghan war who used guerilla tactics to defeat the Soviet union.The mujahideen were supported by the United States in their war against Soviet control. People's Party (Khalq)- The people's, or Khalq, party was a division of the PDPA led by Nur Taraki. It was the more tribal faction of the PDPA. Banner Party (Parcham)- The Banner, or Parcham, party was the other division of the PDPA led by Babrak Karmal. It consisted of a more urban and middle-class population. Democratic Republic of Afghanistan- The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan existed from 1978-92 and marked the communist rule of Afghanistan. Timeline August 24, 1973- King Mohammed Zahir Kahn abdicated in fear of the coup lead against him by his cousin, Mohammed Daud Kahn. April 27, 1978- Saur Revolution occurred and overthrew Mohammed Daud Kahn and created the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. December 5, 1978- The Soviet Union signs a treaty providing additional aid. February, 1979- Adolph Dubs, the US ambassador of Afghanistan was kidnapped in Afghanistan and killed. This weakened US relations with Afghanistan as well as their recognition of the new government. December 24, 1979- Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan begins when they see a threat to the communist party. August, 1979- Army officers attempted to seize the Presidential Palace. Despite the fact that they did not succeed, this demonstrated a lack of loyalty in the Afghan army to the Soviet Union. 1985- More than an estimated 5 million Afghanis have died. Gorbachev, the new leader of Russia, displays his want for an end to the war in afghanistan. February 15, 1989- The last soviet troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan officially ending their invasion. |