Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1979 Soviet forces in

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, 1979

Soviet forces in Afghanistan

An Afghan Mujahid demonstrates using a surface to air missile “Mujahideen” is a term defining Muslims involved in any war. Literally translated from Arabic, it means “strugglers”

• In 1978, a communist government takes control in Afghanistan, supported by the Soviet Union • By late 1979, the communists hold on power was threatened by mujahideen attacks. Soviets invade to protect the communist government of Afghanistan • The United States through the CIA and with the aid of Pakistan, support the mujahideen with money and arms • Osama bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi, arrives in Afghanistan with other Arab nationalists and Islamic fundamentalists to support the mujahideen. Bin Laden was not directly supported by the CIA • Mujahideen employ guerrilla tactics that Soviet forces are unable to overcome. Soviets withdraw in 1989. • Soviet dead = 14, 453; Afghan dead = 1, 000 (civilians and combatants) • Afghan displaced = 5, 500, 000 • Following Soviet withdraw, Afghanistan falls into a civil war that lasts from 1989 – 1992 when the mujahideen finally prevail and overthrow the communist government

Ronald Reagan (1980 – 1989)

• Born 1911 in Tampico, Illinois • After college worked for small radio stations • Became an actor in 1937 after taking a screen test while visiting Los Angeles. By end of 1939 had been in 16 movies. Is considered a “B-rated” actor • Hosted “General Electric Theater” in late 1950 s and became President of the Screen Actors Guild. In this position he gained national attention as he testified against a number of Hollywood actors in the HUAC hearings • Governor of California from 1967 – 1975 • Lost in 1976 Presidential primaries to Gerald Ford, who goes on to lose to Jimmy Carter in the November election. • In 1980, Reagan defeats Carter to become President • Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA

The Somoza Dynasty (1936 – 1979) Anastasio Jr. , Anastasio Sr. and Luis

• Somoza dynasty was a military dictatorship • Was very friendly to U. S. business interests and therefore the U. S. government was very friendly to the Somoza government • Freedom of speech limited and many human rights abuses committed by the Somoza government against their opponents • Such abuses led to the rise of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in the early 1970 s • The “Sandinistas” led by Daniel Ortega, successfully overthrow Somoza in 1979 and install a socialist government • Reagan, through the CIA, authorized the financing, arming and training of anti. Sandinistas, known as “counterrevolucionarios” or “Contras” • In 1984, Congress votes to stop government funding of the Contras….

Fidel Castro and Daniel Ortega, 1980

Archbishop Oscar Romero

Reagan delivering speech announcing SDI in 1983

Grenada, 1983 • In 1979, a bloodless coup led by the Marxist “New Jewel Movement” and Maurice Bishop took power on the island. The government is supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union • The U. S. became increasingly worried about a Soviet presence on the island, particularly the potential construction of a Soviet airbase • In October, 1983, the U. S. took advantage of an internal revolt that led to the assassination of Bishop. Reagan declared a state of civil strife and that the U. S. must intervene in order to protect Americans living on the island • Grenadian and Cuban forces put up a stubborn resistance but were quickly defeated by U. S. forces. Fatalities included 13 Americans; 69 Grenadians; 24 Cubans • Soviets did not intervene • U. S. forces occupied the island until December when a provisional government was established.

Mikhail Gorbachev 1985 - 1991

Reagan and Gorby at the Reykjavik Summit, 1986

Chernobyl after the explosion, 1986

• On April 26 th, 1986 a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine exploded • A radioactive plume drifted over parts of Eastern and Western Europe. • 135, 000 in the area were evacuated, including the 50, 000 people who lived in Pripyat • The predicted number of deaths varies, but is definitely in the thousands

The abandoned city of Pripyat, with Chernobyl in the background

The old ferris wheel in Pripyat

Entrance to the “Zone of Alienation”

Oliver North testifying before Congress

Fall of the IRON CURTAIN

The poster reads, “Solidarity: High Noon, June 4 th, 1989” This is the day Poland held its first democratic elections in the post WWII era

Reagan delivering his famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, 1987

1989

Boris Yeltsin

Yeltsin denouncing coup from atop a tank, 1991