3- Secret Police 1953-85 Flashcards
Plan
P1- growth of professionalism, reputation and status. P2- changing priorities towards meeting needs of people. P3- disagree, no more terror. P4- disagree, always served Party and never had independent power
P1- Khrushchev
Under Khrushchev, heads of the KGB had been very low profile and there was a lot of corruption under Brezhnev
P1- Andropov (head of secret police under Brezhnev)
KGB became more sophisticated- developments in surveillance technology like electric bugging devices, conversations were recorded using tape and recorders, and cameras were secreted in bras and briefcases. Real evidence based on real crimes. KGB well informed of the criticisms of the Soviet system put forward by the dissidents so their threat to social and political stability had been neutralised
P1- the ‘Chronicle of Current Events’
Reported that this period was the most difficult to operate- showing how successful KGB had become unlike the previous wastewhere job wasnt carried out to the same intensity
P1- Last sentence
It is clear that the role of the SP changed because they were more productive and focused on their purpisd, contributing to the state in a more committed manner
P2- before Andropov
Those who opposed regime mainly targetted
P2- Andropov
Making the existing system work better and a greater desire to meet the needs of the general population. Popular discontent on economic concerns- fixing thid to deliver a reasonable standard of living. Shift in priorities to the promotion of a more stable society. 1982, used secret police to clamp down on alcoholism and absenteeism in the workplace to increase productivity. KGB officers did spotchecks on factories to record attendance and combed the streets for truanting workers. Reforming system by instilling greater discipline in workforce. Focused more on real crimes not just suspicions anymore. Told politburo needed to ‘acquire an understanding of the society in which we live.’
P2- limit
Queues for food often a reason for truancy
P3- Khrushchev
Dismantled the Gulag and the Lubyanka building ceased to be a prison. 1960, the criminal code abolished night-time interrogations.
P3- Andropov
Treatments of those caught far less intense and harsh. Instead of death, travel restrictions were given, people were fired from their jobs or sent into internal exile, depending on the severity of crime. People who xonsistently opposed the authorities were allowed to emigrate in the 1970s- over 100,000 potential troublemakers allowed to leave USSR. Formal warnings- 70,000 received one 1970s.
What was the ‘Chronicle of Current Events’
An underground newsletter that highlighted human rights abuses and the treatment of dissidents
P4- what was the secret pilice pften referred to as
The ‘sword and shield of the Communist Party’
P4- what shows limited piwer of secret police
1991 coup where they tried to take power from Party and leader failed and the Party had the authority to strip them of extensive military units and domestic security functions
P4- Khrushchev
Under Khrushchev, the secret pokicd were brouggt firmly under Party control and this never changed from 1953-85
Conclusion
Low profile organisation under Khrush transformed. Terror did remain more limited BUT special hospitals run by NKVD. Unhygienic overcrowded electric shocks and drugs. Terror not eradicated completely and increased just more subtle. Not just servants to Party because Andropov head of KGB appointed to Politburo 1973 then became leader of SU. Powerful and valued.
