The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
I can explain the causes and consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
I can explain the causes and consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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 The end of the Cold War, 1970-91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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