April 27, 2010 Objectives: To develop an understanding of the History of Afghanistan Objectives: To develop an understanding of the History of Afghanistan Question: What Indian country is next to Afghanistan? Question: What Indian country is next to Afghanistan? Agenda: Lecture/Notes Agenda: Lecture/Notes

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Geography Located in Central Asia Bordered by six countries: ● ● China ● ● Iran ● ● Pakistan ● ● Tajikistan ● ● Turkmenistan ● ● Uzbekistan

Afghanistan: Geography Landlocked nation (slightly smaller than Texas) Total Population: 31 million Capital: Kabul

Afghanistan: Geography ➢ ➢ Rugged mountains ➢ ➢ Hindu Kush: main mountain range across Afghanistan and into Pakistan ➢ ➢ Climate: cold winters and hot, dry summers

Afghans: A Diverse People Major Ethnic Groups: Major Ethnic Groups: Pashtuns 42% Pashtuns 42% Takiks 27% Takiks 27% Uzbeks 9% Uzbeks 9% Hazaras 9% Hazaras 9% Others 13% Others 13%

Afghans: A Diverse People

Languages Many Afghans are bilingual Many Afghans are bilingual The main languages spoken by Afghans are: The main languages spoken by Afghans are: Dari (official language) 50% Pashtu (official language) 35% Turkic languages 11%

Religion I slam is the religion practiced by most Afghans; it is central to Afghans' identity I slam is the religion practiced by most Afghans; it is central to Afghans' identity 99% of Afghans are Muslim 99% of Afghans are Muslim

Rural Life Most Afghans live in rural areas Most Afghans live in rural areas About ¾ of the population consists of farmers and nomads About ¾ of the population consists of farmers and nomads Only 12% of the land, however, is arable Only 12% of the land, however, is arable What problems might this lead to? What problems might this lead to?

Sport/Pastime Bazkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a team game played on horseback Bazkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a team game played on horseback Kite-fighting is also a popular pastime among Afghan youth where participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents' kites Kite-fighting is also a popular pastime among Afghan youth where participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents' kites

Afghan History Afghanistan's location along the Silk/Spice Road has allowed the country to serve as an important link between east and west throughout history Afghanistan's location along the Silk/Spice Road has allowed the country to serve as an important link between east and west throughout history

600 BCE – 652 BCE Zoroaster introduces religion of Zoroastrianism. Darius of Persia conquers part of Afghanistan. Many wars between Persians and tribal groups for control.   Alexander the Great invades. Many tribal revolts against his empire.   Various other invasions and tribal wars for control of Afghanistan, such as, Parthians, Kushans, White Huns and Yaftalee.   Each invader brought new religious beliefs to be forced on the Afghanistan tribes. Zoroaster Alexander

 Arabs introduce religion to Afghanistan and Afghanistan became the center of Islamic power and civilization.  Genghis Khan invades Afghanistan, he destroyed the irrigation systems turning the fertile soils into permanent deserts.  Marco Polo crosses Afghanistan on his way to China.  Various dynasties control Afghanistan with frequent wars for political control.  Many wars between Afghanistan and Persia as each takes a turn controlling this region.  Afghans retake Kandahar from the Persians and establish modern Afghanistan, Marco Polo

 Capital of Afghanistan transferred from Kandahar to Kabul because of tribal fighting.  Constant internal fighting inside Afghanistan.  First Anglo-Afghan War. The British in India try to control Afghanistan, this war ended with the British force of 16,500 wiped out with only one survivor making it alive to a British fort in Jalalabad.  Afghanistan is independent but the British take Baluchistan making Afghanistan a landlocked country.  Second Anglo-Afghan War. The British take some territories from Afghanistan and allows them to run their internal affairs but Britain handled Afghan Foreign Affairs.  Russia takes Afghan territory in the north.  Third Anglo-Afghan War. Afghanistan wins and gains full control of her Foreign Affairs.

Many power struggles as tribes try to obtain political power Muhammad Khan became King and tried to reform the country but was assassinated. United States formally recognizes Afghanistan, Many tribal leaders tried to unite Afghanistan but violence prevailed. Attempts at democracy failed. Britain withdraws from India, Pakistan is carved out of Indian and Afghan lands.

 Pakistan and Afghanistan come close to war over disputed lands.  Government instability leads to frequent riots and overthrows.  Daoud Khan and the Communist Afghan Party seize power and the Republic of Afghanistan is born in Internal problems with this party cause Daoud to be killed.  Mass arrests, tortures and violence become common place in Afghanistan.  The Afghan guerrilla group (Mujahideen) formed to fight and resist government that was backed by Communist Russia.  Mass killings and the murder of the U.S. Ambassador. Many human rights violations. Mujahideen Freedom Fighters

Afghan History This location, however, has meant significant intervention from outsiders Great Britain & Russia fought over Afghanistan as far back as the 18 th & 19 th centuries Great Britain & Russia fought over Afghanistan as far back as the 18 th & 19 th centuries Soviet Union invaded in 1979 and installed a Communist government Soviet Union invaded in 1979 and installed a Communist government From , Afghanistan became a battleground of the Cold War between the US- USSR (with the U.S. supporting Afghans who resisted the Soviets) From , Afghanistan became a battleground of the Cold War between the US- USSR (with the U.S. supporting Afghans who resisted the Soviets)

 Soviet Union invades Afghanistan with thousands of troops to support the government in its struggle with the holy warriors called Mujahideen.  Five million Afghan refugees flee to Pakistan and Iran.  The Soviets with superior weapons could not defeat the guerrilla tactics of the rebels.  In 1988 the Soviets began withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan.  Fighting between the government and the Mujahideen continued until 1992 when the rebels overthrew the government.  Fighting among the factions prevented the formation of a stable government.  By the late 1990’s a Islamic group known as the Taliban had taken control of most of Afghanistan and set up a Council of Ministers to rule the country.

Afghan History Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, but civil war erupted among factions of guerilla fighters known as 'mujahedin' Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, but civil war erupted among factions of guerilla fighters known as 'mujahedin' Civil war continued until 1996, when hard-line group known as the Taliban seized power Civil war continued until 1996, when hard-line group known as the Taliban seized power Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Islam Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Islam

The Taliban movement was formed in Kandahar in 1994 by Islamic students who take a radical approach to interpreting Islam. The Taliban captured Kabul in September 1996 from Mujaheedin regime. The government of Burhan-ul Din Rabani ousted. The Taliban government in Kabul has been recognized only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Republic. The Taliban regime strongly have been supported by Pakistani military regime. Anti-Taliban factions still hold about 15 percent of the country in the northern parts of Afghanistan. The United Nations and other international communities condemn the Taliban regime because of its violation of human rights, particularly restrictions of women from outside work and freedom. On October 10, 1999, the United States government declare political and economical sanctions against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan because of holding and supporting Saudi billionaire Bin Laden. October 25, 1999, Taliban offer talks between Afghanistan and the US Government including the future of Osma Bin Laden. October 28, Saudi Millionaire declared his desire to leave Afghanistan November, 5, 1999: Bin Laden likely stay in Afghanistan

Taliban ➢ Limited women's ability to work in public places ➢ Banned girls from attending school ➢ Required women to wear burqas in public (photos) ➢ Required men to wear beards ➢ Banned music, sports ➢ Allowed al-Qaeda & Osama bin Laden to operate within the country

Refugee Crisis During the 23 years of conflict, roughly 4 million Afghans became refugees During the 23 years of conflict, roughly 4 million Afghans became refugees Most refugees fled to two main countries: Most refugees fled to two main countries: ➢ Iran ➢ Pakistan There are also an estimated 200,000 Afghans living in the U.S. There are also an estimated 200,000 Afghans living in the U.S.

The link between September 11 and Afghanistan Afghans did NOT carry out the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Afghans did NOT carry out the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network operating within Afghanistan and other places, did Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network operating within Afghanistan and other places, did Many Afghans expressed their solidarity with the people of the U.S. after Sept. 11 Many Afghans expressed their solidarity with the people of the U.S. after Sept. 11 After September 11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama bin Laden After September 11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama bin Laden U.S. and NATO forces remain in Afghanistan today U.S. and NATO forces remain in Afghanistan today

Afghanistan Today Afghanistan now faces a number of challenges as it tries to rebuild after years of war. Some of these challenges include: Afghanistan now faces a number of challenges as it tries to rebuild after years of war. Some of these challenges include:PovertyEducationHealth Gender equity Governance

Poverty At least 2/3 of Afghans live on less than $2 a day At least 2/3 of Afghans live on less than $2 a day Only 23% of Afghans have access to safe water Only 23% of Afghans have access to safe water Only 12% of Afghans have access to sanitation Only 12% of Afghans have access to sanitation Only 6% of Afghans have access to electricity Only 6% of Afghans have access to electricity

Education 67% of boys go to school, while only 37% of girls do (US Dept of State) 67% of boys go to school, while only 37% of girls do (US Dept of State) Constraints to school attendance: Constraints to school attendance: Lack of teachers Lack of teachers Distance between home and school Distance between home and school Cultural constraints for girls Cultural constraints for girls Not enough school buildings (esp. for girls) Not enough school buildings (esp. for girls)

Health Average life expectancy for Afghans is 42, more than 25 years younger than the average American (World Health Organization) Average life expectancy for Afghans is 42, more than 25 years younger than the average American (World Health Organization) One in four children dies before the age of 5 (USAID) One in four children dies before the age of 5 (USAID) Many Afghans lack access to basic medical care Many Afghans lack access to basic medical care

Gender Equity Women have been a marginalized group in Afghanistan Women have been a marginalized group in Afghanistan Cultural restrictions lead to difficulty accessing education and health services Cultural restrictions lead to difficulty accessing education and health services Only 10% of Afghan women can read and write Only 10% of Afghan women can read and write Yet, Afghan women are important contributors to household income, especially in rural areas Yet, Afghan women are important contributors to household income, especially in rural areas

Government In October 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan. In October 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan. Parliamentray elections were held in Parliamentray elections were held in Local warlords, however, still hold power in many parts of the country. This contributes to the insecurity in Afghanistan. Local warlords, however, still hold power in many parts of the country. This contributes to the insecurity in Afghanistan.

Despite these challenges, Afghans remain hopeful about the future

THE END What have you learned about Afghanistan? What have you learned about Afghanistan?