Chapter 5: Brezhnev as leader

Question 1

Brezhnev and Podgornyi were Khrushchev’s proteges. What does this mean?

Answer 1

They owed their roles to him.

Question 2

When was Khrushchev removed from power?

Answer 2

• 1964
• 70 years old

Question 3

What did Brezhnev take advantage of which allowed him to remove Khrushchev from power?

Answer 3

• Opposition of Khrushchev in the party
• Khrushchev on holiday during Moscow conference.

Question 4

What official reason was given for Khrushchev’s removal of power?

Answer 4

Poor age and bad health.

Question 5

How did Pravda pronounce Khrushchev?

Answer 5

‘Hare-brained schemes’.

Question 6

Which of Khrushchev’s reforms had hurt many Party bureaucrats?

Answer 6

Removing their special privileged and jobs..

Question 7

How had Khrushchev undermined support in armed forces?

Answer 7

Cut spending/funding in army.

Question 8

What did many feel was needed of their leader by 1964?

Answer 8

• Collective leadership
• Nationalistic
• Stability (conservatism).

Question 9

Who took the role of:
* Party leader,
* Premier?

Answer 9

• Brezhnev
• Kosygin.

Question 10

What were Brezhnev’s character traits that made him a popular replacement for Khrushchev?

Answer 10

• Logical
• Realistic
• Conservative
• Army man.

Question 11

What was different about these three Soviet leaders?

Answer 11

They were born in the 20th century, so they were too young to have an active role during the 1917 Revolution.

Question 12

What was the Gerontocracy?

Answer 12

A ‘stagnation’ in the party due to increased support from the elderly.

Question 12

What happened to the average age of Politburo members?

Answer 12

Rose from 58 to 68, and were often replaced by other elderly people.

Question 13

What was there a lack of in politics?

Answer 13

Dynamism.

Question 14

How was Brezhnev in terms of decision making?

Answer 14

Took little key role- wasn’t ‘man of the people’ as he wasn’t assertive and in control which changed the dynamic.

Question 15

What was accessible to party members?

Answer 15

Loyalty from the party was assured by access to privileges - better healthcare etc.

Question 16

How did Most full-time party members feel towards Brezhnev?

Answer 16

Positive, as they were reassured from his Conservative approach.

Question 17

What did the party lack?

Answer 17

Innovation.

Question 18

What was the Nomenklatura system?

Answer 18

List of party positions who had special privileges.

Question 19

Below the Nomenklatura, there were apparatchiks. What consequences did this system have?

Answer 19

• Frustration and resentment
• Widespread apathy: there was no opportunity for promotion.

Question 20

Why could Brezhnev never change this system?

Answer 20

It was too embedded.

Question 21

What was the Black market?

Answer 21

Everything could be obtained for a price in the black market, an criticisms from the Party were undermined as they had special access to these same products.