Afghanistan
Nationalism
By:
Ebony Uribe
Cindy Nguyen
Nationalism Definition
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Refers to an ideology, a sentiment, a form of
culture, or a social movement that focuses on
the nation. It is a type of collectivism
emphasizing the collective of a specific nation.
Nationalism Drive
Control
 Power
 Domination
 Unity
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History
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Crossroad between different civilizations.
522 BCE--486 BCE- Persia conquerd
Afghanistan
329 BCE– 326 BCE- Alexander the Great of
Macedonia
conquered Afghanistan
652- Arabs introduce Islam.
History cont.
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1332-Descendants of Ghorid rulers conquer
Afghanistan.
1613-1689- Uprising against Moghul
government.
1736 - Nadir Shah (head of Persia)
occupies parts of Afghanistan.
1747- Shah is assassinated. Afghans, establish
modern Afghanistan.
History cont.
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1773- 1793- Rule of Timur Shah. Internal
revolts.
1826- Dost Mohammad Khan establishes
control.
1836- Britain invades.
1843- Annihilation of British troops=
Afghanistan is independent again.
1934- USA formally recognizes Afghanistan.
History Cont.
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1994-Taliban militia are born.
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2001- Taliban destroy historical momentums.
9/11
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Taliban - September 11th: suicide
attacks on the U.S. kill more than
3,000 people and destroy the two
towers of the World Trade Center
and part of the Pentagon.
Opposition Suppressed

Ahmad Shah Masood
In April 2001, he was visiting Europe to
gain support against the Taliban.
 Two days before 9/11, Masood was killed
by assassins posing as journalists.
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Abdul Haq
Was trying to create a popular uprising in
Afghanistan against the Taliban in the
wake of the September 11th attacks.
 Executed by the Taliban in October 2001.
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Languages

Most common languages
Eastern Farsi/ Dari
 Pashto
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Other
Uzbek & Turkmen
 30 minor languages
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Bilingualism is common
Big difference in literacy rates for males and
females.
Religions
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Mid-1980s
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99% Muslim
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~ 30,000-150,00 Hindus & Sikhs in varies cities
(mainly Jalalabad, Kabul, & Kandahar)
74-80% Sunni
19-25% Shi’a
Small Jewish community

Last one is Zablon Simintov
Taliban
Education

Obstacles
Lack of funding
 Unsafe school building
 Cultural norms
 Lack of women teacher
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Rapid change in the face of higher education
After 2001, Kabul University was reopened to
both genders.
Education cont.
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2006: American University of Afghanistan
opened its door & accepted students from
Afghanistan & the neighboring countries
New military school with purpose of properly
training & educating their soldiers
Media
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Media was very restricted
Censorship slowly loosend after 2001
Reporters Without Borders listed the media
environment as 1st for most free
Ethnic Groups
Population – large variety of Ethnic groups
No exact distribution
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41% Pashtun
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2% Turkmen
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38% Tajik
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1% Nuristani
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10% Hazara
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1% Baloch
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6% Uzbek
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1% other
Economy
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One of world’s poorest countries.
Recovering from decades of conflict.
Has improved significantly since fall of Taliban.
Extremely poor, landlocked, and highly
dependant on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade
with neighboring countries.
Main source of income is agriculture.
Industry based on agriculture and pastoral raw
materials.
Economy Continued
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Sheep farming is extremely valuable.
Rich in natural resources.
$8 billion in bilateral debt.
$500 million in debt to Multilateral
Development Banks.
Unit of money= Afghani
Population below poverty line= 53%
Unemployment rate= 40%
Taliban's New Target – Mobile Phone Towers
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destroyed a mobile-phone tower
No telephone signals during the evening and
overnight
Taliban want to damage economy
Mobile networks are
important for
ordinary Afghans
Current Event- June 8, 2009
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New troops to defeat Taliban.
Marine buildup will occur in Hemland.
USA is helping Afghan government vs. Taliban.
Future of Afghanistan

Taliban moves away
Less US troops
 Country unites
 Less censorship
 Improved education
 Kabul rebuilt
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The
End