Timeline
Quote:
1953 - General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister. Turns to Soviet Union for economic and military assistance. Introduces social reforms, such as abolition of purdah (practice of secluding women from public view).
1963 - Mohammed Daud forced to resign as prime minister.
1964 - Constitutional monarchy introduced - but leads to political polarisation and power struggles.
1973 - Mohammed Daud seizes power in a coup and declares a republic. Tries to play off USSR against Western powers.
1978 - General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups.
Soviet intervention 1979 December - Soviet Army invades and props up communist government.
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The Russian involvement helped any reforms. It was those that opposed Russian involvement that wanted the "Stone Age". It was the Russians and then the US that didn't want the "Stone Age" environment.