How Did Afghanistan Become Independent

Study guide:
Afghanistan
Fall 2011

Essay questions:

When did Afghanistan become an independent state? What events prompted the declaration of independence?

Explain factional (Khalq/Parcham) divisions within the PDPA.

-The party was divided into factions, with the Khalq and Parcham being the two largest ones. The split was mainly due to ideological and economic reasons. The Khalq supporters consisted mainly of ethnic Pashtuns from rural areas, while Parcham supported consisted mainly of citizens from the urban areas. The Parchams supported social-economic reforms in the country.

According to Coll (Chapter 2) and the video showed in class, the 1979 Soviet Union military intervention in Afghanistan was a result of misperceptions
It was one of their ways of “cleansing” society and all the problems the state faced. They banned all DVDs, CDs, videos and audio tapes. They persecuted minorities, such as making Hindus wear yellow badges, basically branding them. Trials were conducted without lawyers, if you were accused, you were basically guilty and had to defend yourself.
-In regards to women, they imposed restrictions on basically everything they were allowed to do. Women were no longer allowed to work, which put a huge strain in the progression of education for the next generation of kids, since most school teachers were women. They were not allowed to wear make up, high heels, be seen or heard in public (reason for the veil) because they drove men wild into temptation. They were basically excluded from the public eye.

What were the Taliban’s political objectives initially? How did those objectives change later and why?

-Initially, the objectives were to restore peace, disarm the population and enforce Sharia law. Return afghanistan's islamic culture. They were fighting the warlords and “cleansing” the corruption that had spread throughout the war-torn country. As the Taliban gained more power over the country, they started to enforce radical laws of
Madrasas (Coll, Chapter 3)

Loya Jirga: known as the “grand council,” is a grand meeting which includes tribal leaders that assembles to discuss national state matters, such as electing a president, changes in law, etc.

General Zia-ul-Haq (Coll, Chapter 3)

Daoud: overthrew his cousin Mohammeds monarchy in 1973 and declared afghanistan a republic and himself as the president. His policies consisted of favoring the rights of women and two 5-year modernization plans.

Hazara: third largest ethnic group in Afghanistan making up approx.. 9% of the population.

“New Democracy”

The Durand line: international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Divided the Pashtun tribal areas from the territories under the administration of the emir of Afghanistan.

Mujahidin (also transcribed as Mujahideen)

“Stinger”: missiles fired from the ground to shoot down aircraft and helicopters. A major weapon used in afghanistan against the Soviets, which were provided by the United States.

Mula Omar: leader of the Taliban, extremely difficult to identify, predicted that the NATO forces will leave Afghanistan defeated in a few years like the Soviets did in 1989 and even offering them a “safe passage” out of the