Unit Outline
The Soviet-Afghan War was one of the most significant proxy conflicts of the late Cold War. For 9 years, the USSR occupied Afghanistan in the hope of ending civil war and creating a stable pro-Soviet client state. Instead, insurgent groups known as the Mujahideen conducted guerrilla warfare against the deeply unpopular occupying forces. An estimated 500,000-2,000,000 civilians were killed in the fighting and millions fled as refugees.
The conflict sapped Soviet resources, leading to growing discontent within the USSR which contributed to the collapse of Soviet power. With Soviet withdrawal in 1989, civil war resumed resulting in the victory of the Taliban in 1996. Having now studied various Cold War conflicts in Asia, it becomes clear that the same principles of counter insurgency - and the same mistakes - can be applied to this conflict as well as others. As such, the statement of inquiry is:
The conflict sapped Soviet resources, leading to growing discontent within the USSR which contributed to the collapse of Soviet power. With Soviet withdrawal in 1989, civil war resumed resulting in the victory of the Taliban in 1996. Having now studied various Cold War conflicts in Asia, it becomes clear that the same principles of counter insurgency - and the same mistakes - can be applied to this conflict as well as others. As such, the statement of inquiry is:
statement of inquiry
Despite significant scientific and technical innovations in warfare, conflicts are still determined by basic military principles
global context
Scientific and Technical Innovation (Opportunity, risk, consequences and responsibility) - Students will explore the natural world and its laws; the interaction between people and the natural world; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; the impact of environments on human activity; how humans adapt environments to their needs.
key history concept
Significance - Significance is a concept of a different nature as it is more clearly related to the craft of the discipline. It refers to the quality of having great value taking into account the historical context. Historical context is the political, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular idea or event. In order to better understand something from history, we must look at its context—those things that surround it in time and place and that give it its meaning or value. In this way, we can gain, among other things, a sense of how unique or ordinary an event or idea seems to be in comparison to other events and ideas.
related history concept(s)
Continuity - While historical study often focuses on moments of significant change, students should also be aware that some change is slow, and that throughout history there is also significant continuity. Students can demonstrate deep historical knowledge and understanding by, for example, showing awareness that there are times when there has been considerable continuity in the midst of great historical change. Alternatively, students may question and assess whether a change in political leadership, for example, brought about a change in foreign policy, or whether it was more accurately mirroring policies of previous governments.
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