The impression i get is that Walker believed the Soviets did not want to invade Afghanistan, but felt they were pressurised into it. The Soviets were scared of upsetting the Americans, feeling it would have affected US-Soviet Relations. Once, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, they realised they were in trouble, when the Communist party split, and Herat (the city) fell to the upeising of the Shi'ite m
Muslim armed opposition.
Afghanistan was split into two ( Afghanistan's Communist party and Afghanistan extremists - Guerrillas), ruled by Taraki, supported by the Soviets, as he was pro-soviet. However, Taraki was overthrown by Amin, who was reluctantly supported by the Soviets, even though they were suspicious of him. The Soviets disapproved of the overthrowing in Afghanistan as they wanted stability.
Amin started to allie with Pakistani and China, both seen as Soviet opposition, resulting in Russia withdrawing their support for Afghanistan. This led to the USA backing Pakistan, alongside Britain.
The USA condemned the Soviets for getting involved in foreign countries affairs, however, their European allies were not as harsh, and even embarked on trade talks with Moscow. This led to a $350 million contract for a specialty steel mill $100 million aluminum plan, which were shifted from American to European firms.
Wikitask 2: Research and write a paragraph on the significance of Zbigniew Brzezinski, advisor to Jimmy Carter, on your wikis. There's a little part about him in the textbook.
The significance of Zbigniew Brzezinski, advisor to Jimmy Carter
Born a pole who became an American citizen, leading to him becoming suspicious of Soviet policy. Became National Security Advisor in 1977 and influenced Carter's foreign policy. Brezinski held a hard line approach against communism causing him to clash with Cyrus Vance, the Secretary of State, who favoured continuation of Detente. Brzezinski voiced the views of the Neo-Conservatives, which called for a show of American Strength that would lead to the Soviet Union changing their policy. Carter heavily relied on these two men due to his inexperience, which could suggest a reason for the central weakness in his foreign policy as he never knew whos advice to follow
Task3: The liberation of Poland
Poland were heavily influenced by Soviet ruling and by 1980,there was a strong cry for reform in Poland, even with certain members of the government wishing to reform. However, the USSR, were keen to show that there was no chance of this happening. To prove this the government increased prices in response to the economic crisis, however, this was met by unrest which was squashed by the army. An example of this unrest was the strikes at the Gdansk shipyard in 1980, involving the illegal independent trade union 'Solidarity.' By 1981 discontent was threatening to get out hand and those who were seeking reform were encouraged by the Pope( who was Polish's) visit to Poland. The outside world watched Poland's situation through the media and grew to like the leader of the Solidarity trade union, Lech Walesa, as he challenged Communist rule. The USSR eventually legalised the Solidarity trade union, however were concerned that trade unions in other countries within the Eastern Bloc would emerge and threaten their hold in other countries.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: Walker article
The impression i get is that Walker believed the Soviets did not want to invade Afghanistan, but felt they were pressurised into it. The Soviets were scared of upsetting the Americans, feeling it would have affected US-Soviet Relations. Once, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, they realised they were in trouble, when the Communist party split, and Herat (the city) fell to the upeising of the Shi'ite m
Muslim armed opposition.
Afghanistan was split into two ( Afghanistan's Communist party and Afghanistan extremists - Guerrillas), ruled by Taraki, supported by the Soviets, as he was pro-soviet. However, Taraki was overthrown by Amin, who was reluctantly supported by the Soviets, even though they were suspicious of him. The Soviets disapproved of the overthrowing in Afghanistan as they wanted stability.
Amin started to allie with Pakistani and China, both seen as Soviet opposition, resulting in Russia withdrawing their support for Afghanistan. This led to the USA backing Pakistan, alongside Britain.
The USA condemned the Soviets for getting involved in foreign countries affairs, however, their European allies were not as harsh, and even embarked on trade talks with Moscow. This led to a $350 million contract for a specialty steel mill $100 million aluminum plan, which were shifted from American to European firms.
Wikitask 2: Research and write a paragraph on the significance of Zbigniew Brzezinski, advisor to Jimmy Carter, on your wikis. There's a little part about him in the textbook.
The significance of Zbigniew Brzezinski, advisor to Jimmy Carter
Born a pole who became an American citizen, leading to him becoming suspicious of Soviet policy. Became National Security Advisor in 1977 and influenced Carter's foreign policy. Brezinski held a hard line approach against communism causing him to clash with Cyrus Vance, the Secretary of State, who favoured continuation of Detente. Brzezinski voiced the views of the Neo-Conservatives, which called for a show of American Strength that would lead to the Soviet Union changing their policy. Carter heavily relied on these two men due to his inexperience, which could suggest a reason for the central weakness in his foreign policy as he never knew whos advice to follow
Task3: The liberation of Poland
Poland were heavily influenced by Soviet ruling and by 1980,there was a strong cry for reform in Poland, even with certain members of the government wishing to reform. However, the USSR, were keen to show that there was no chance of this happening. To prove this the government increased prices in response to the economic crisis, however, this was met by unrest which was squashed by the army. An example of this unrest was the strikes at the Gdansk shipyard in 1980, involving the illegal independent trade union 'Solidarity.' By 1981 discontent was threatening to get out hand and those who were seeking reform were encouraged by the Pope( who was Polish's) visit to Poland. The outside world watched Poland's situation through the media and grew to like the leader of the Solidarity trade union, Lech Walesa, as he challenged Communist rule. The USSR eventually legalised the Solidarity trade union, however were concerned that trade unions in other countries within the Eastern Bloc would emerge and threaten their hold in other countries.