The curriculum The United States in Afghanistan helps students consider the issues surrounding the U.S. role in Afghanistan in a constructive context that promotes dialogue about future policy directions.
Videos for Lessons: The videos below accompany lessons in the teacher's guide of the printed curriculum unit.
Videos for Readings follow the outline of the printed curriculum unit.
Scholars Online: Videos for Lessons
The United States in Afghanistan
David B. Edwards
Williams College
Jennifer L. Fluri
Dartmouth College
Benjamin Hopkins
George Washington University
Mark Garrison
Brown University
Paula Newberg
Georgetown University
Catherine Lutz
Brown University
Day One Lesson: The Geography of Afghanistan
This video can be used after students complete the map activities in the lesson prior to class discussion about the role of Afghanistan's geography in its history.
How has Afghanistan's geography affected its history? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:00]
Day One Optional Lesson: Looking at Afghanistan
These videos can be used with the Day 1 optional lesson plan. Students might find it useful to watch the videos after reading the introduction to the lesson and before viewing the photos.
What is daily life like in Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 1:53]
What are the most common misunderstandings about Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:17]
Day Two Lesson: Life Under the Taliban
These videos could be used as prompts for the "Focus Question" section of this lesson. The videos provide additional context for the primary sources that students examine.
How did the Taliban come to power? [David Edwards - 3:15]
How did rule by the Taliban in the 1990s affect the lives of Afghans? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:27]
Day Two Optional Lesson: The Cold War and the Soviet Invasion
These videos can be used with the Day 2 optional lesson plan. Students needing review on the Cold War might find it useful to watch these videos before beginning the lesson.
What was the Cold War? [Mark Garrison - 2:07]
Why did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan in 1979? [David Edwards - 1:22]
Why did the United States and the Soviet Union compete in Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:03]
What were the effects of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 4:08]
After completing the activity, the following videos will further enrich students' understanding of the war's impact on U.S.-Soviet relations.
How did President Carter react to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan? [Mark Garrison - 1:58]
What was the Soviet Union's reaction to President Carter's letter? [Mark Garrison - 0:59]
What kind of advice did Ambassador Watson send back to Washington? [Mark Garrison - 2:48]
Was the U.S. response a surprise to the Soviet government? [Mark Garrison - 1:32]
How did the invasion affect U.S. policy towards the Soviet Union? [Mark Garrison - 1:18]
Day Three: Role-Playing the Four Options: Organization and Preparation
These videos can help students gather useful information in preparation for the role play.
Why is there an insurgency in Afghanistan? [David Edwards - 3:03]
What are the divisions in Afghanistan today? [David Edwards - 2:23]
What are the divisions in Afghan society? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:23]
What is the significance of the death of Osama bin Laden? [David Edwards - 3:51]
Why is security an important issue for Afghans? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:04]
Why does Pakistan want to play an influential role in Afghanistan? [Ben Hopkins - 3:30]
How have conditions for ordinary Afghans changed since 2001? [Paula Newberg 1:34]
What are some of the positive effects of the foreign presence in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg - 1:24]
What are the costs of the war in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg - 2:37]
What are the biggest challenges facing the Afghan government? [Paula Newberg - 1:24]
Day Five Lesson: The Costs of War
These videos can be used with the Day 5 lesson. The videos could help generate discussion about the U.S. role in Afghanistan.
Why should high school students learn about Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:26]
What are some of the positive effects of the foreign presence in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg 1:24]
What are the costs of the war in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg - 2:37]
What have been the largest costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars? [Catherine Lutz - 3:15]
Optional Lesson: Voices from Afghanistan
This lesson examines writings by Afghan women. These three videos provide additional context that may be useful for students before they begin the activity.
What is daily life like in Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 1:53]
What are the most common misunderstandings about Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:17]