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Afghanistan. A Brief History. History. Has been invaded many times: Persians from (modern day) Iran 327 BC 150BC: Alexander the Great Kushans 0 AD 700 AD ~ 700 AD: Muslims (Sunni) take over 1220: Genghis Khan 1505: Mogul Dynasty 1738: Persians
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Afghanistan A Brief History
History • Has been invaded many times: • Persians from (modern day) Iran • 327 BC 150BC: Alexander the Great • Kushans 0 AD 700 AD • ~ 700 AD: Muslims (Sunni) take over • 1220: Genghis Khan • 1505: Mogul Dynasty • 1738: Persians • 1838-1842: The British try to take over • 1878-1880: They try again • 1979 - 1989: Russia invades
Effect of Invasions • Diverse population of 29 million people • Dozens of ethnic groups • Hundreds of tribes • Many Afghans identify with their tribe first • Then their ethnic group • Few major cities • Most scattered though out small villages/ hamlets • Very difficult to bring together under one government
Recent History of Fundamentalist Islam in Afghanistan • 1979 The Soviet Union Invades • 10 years of fighting • A worldwide call goes out to declare Jihad (struggle) • Muslims across the world rush to remove the invaders of a Muslim nation • They form the Mujahideen
Mujahideen • An army of Muslim fighters of Jihad defending Islam • Made up of Muslims from around the world (including Osama Bin Laden) • Assisted by the United State’s CIA to remove the Soviet Union ($, weapons, training)
1989: The Soviets Retreat • The United States then removes aid • Leaves a gap for who is going to run the country • The Mujahideen break up into groups fighting for control • The Civil War rips apart the country even more than the Soviet Invasion • 1996: The Taliban take control of Afghanistan
The Taliban • Fundamentalist Islamic group who believes that the religion of Islam should be the government • Began during the Civil War as a group to fight road thieves. • Brutal fighters • They bring order to Afghanistan through strict religious rules • Most Afghans welcome the end of the wars at first.
Taliban Law • Shiria (Islamic) Laws…No: • Education or sports for women • TV • Movies • Videos • Music • Dancing • Clapping during sports events • Kite flying • Beard trimming