Explain two consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan [8 marks]
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan led to the boycott of the Moscow Olympics and the end
of détente.
The boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics was President Carter’s retaliation for the
invasion of Afghanistan. It was Carter’s non-aggressive response to Brezhnev’s aggressive
invasion. The USA and other countries, including the UK, did not attend the Moscow
Olympics. This was significant as the Olympics were the USSR’s opportunity to present
communism on a global stage. The boycott also showed the union and alliances of the West,
which was still very divided from the East. 4/4
Détente, a period of relaxed tension between the superpowers, came to an end with the
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Détente had seen the Helsinki Accords in 1975, the Apollo-
Suyez mission in 1975 and the signing of SALT I in 1972. Its end increased tensions and
brought the Cold War close to becoming a Hot War. 4/4
8/8
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan led to the boycott of the Moscow Olympics and the end
of détente.
The boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics was President Carter’s retaliation for the
invasion of Afghanistan. It was Carter’s non-aggressive response to Brezhnev’s aggressive
invasion. The USA and other countries, including the UK, did not attend the Moscow
Olympics. This was significant as the Olympics were the USSR’s opportunity to present
communism on a global stage. The boycott also showed the union and alliances of the West,
which was still very divided from the East. 4/4
Détente, a period of relaxed tension between the superpowers, came to an end with the
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Détente had seen the Helsinki Accords in 1975, the Apollo-
Suyez mission in 1975 and the signing of SALT I in 1972. Its end increased tensions and
brought the Cold War close to becoming a Hot War. 4/4
8/8
