1.3 The Continued Monitoring of Popular Discontent 1982-85

Question 1

when did Andropov become General Secretary of the Communist Party?

Answer 1

1982

Question 2

In what ways did the government attempt to bring greater efficiency to the Soviet Economic system? (2)

Answer 2

• the secret police fought alcoholism and absenteeism in the workplace
• KGB officers did spot checks on factories to record attendance

Question 3

What was done ‘to acquire an understanding of the society in which we live in’, as Andropov told the Politburo? (3)

Answer 3

• andropov visited factories to talk to workers
• new general advisors were appointed; free thinkers, journalists or academics who were in touch with the causes of popular disconent
• andropov made a conscious effort within to promote a younger, more reformist generation within the Party leadership, whose experience in the lower ranks of the Party meant that they were more in touch with the realities of daily life

Question 4

Was the Soviet union socially unstable in the mid 1980s? (3)

Answer 4

• no, despite the government’s failure to adress the issues that irritated the soviet public, there was little public citicism of the government and social conflict was rare
• and the system of propaganda, censorship, rewards and sactions was highly effective
• however, Soviet public was not necassarily happy