Classwork- Andropovs Supression of Dissidents (1967-82) Flashcards
Andropov reformed the KGB to ensure that it could?
Effectively identify dissidents
What measures did Andropov introduce between 1967 and 1970 to ensure that the KGB was highly efficient?
1) KGB agents not allowed to accept gifts, forced to declare financial assets
2) KGB agents whose relative broke the law were sacked
3) he promoted KGB agents from across the whole of the Soviet Union based on their success in dealing with dissidents
4) 1967 he established Directorate V- special branch of KGB, to deal specifically with dissidents
What did Andropov establish in 1967?
Directorate V-
Special branch of KGB, deal specifically with dissidents
Having identified dissidents, Andropov has two ways of dealing with them:
High profile dissenter with an international reputation?
Could emigrate— a number of famous artists who consistently opposed the authorities were allowed to emigrate in the 1970s.
(This was extended)
Due to the policy of emigration being extended, how many potential “trouble makers” were allowed to leave the Soviet Union while Andropov was head of the KGB?
100,000
When was Israel established?
1948
Since the establishment of Israel, soviet Jews had campaigned for the right to move there. For years Soviet leaders had refused.
What about Andropov?
He changed the policy, ensuring Jews who wanted to leave were given exit visas.
How did Andropov justify his decision to allow Jews exit visas?
Referred to the demographics:
1% of population were Jews, but well represented in creative and intellectual industries: 1/5 of writers and journalists were Jews.
More likely to be found in dissident producing professions — a pragmatic way to deal with potential dissidents
Having identified dissidents, Andropov has two ways of dealing with them:
Less well known figure?
Could be sent to a psychiatric institution for compulsory psychiatric treatment.
What policy had been used by Stalin and Khrushchev, but was expanded dramatically under Brezhnev?
Repressive psychiatry
When did Andropov propose repressive psychiatry?
When was the policy endorsed?
April 1969
In a secret resolution of the Council of Ministers later that year
Officially, what did the government argue that anti-Soviet behaviour was a sign of, though Andropov did not believe this?
“Paranoid Reformist Delusion”- a mental illness
Why did Andropov recognise that repressive psychiatry was a good idea?
1) less likely to attract attention of world media than sending someone to prison
2) criminal records were public documents— western journalists could trace dissidents that were sent to prison // psychiatric records private— easier for government to hide repression
3) ‘treatment’ could continue indefinitely, whereas prison terms had to end
4) psychiatric patients could be prescribed medication to keep them quiet
Which religious groups fell victims of repressive psychiatry under Andropov?
Protestant Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses
Small groups, considered heretics by Russian Orthodox Christians— vulnerable to official persecution
Andropov changed the emphasis of the KGB from repression to ________.
Why?
Prevention
1) believed Stalinist repression was ineffective
2) growing belief in the party that socialism was incompatible with widespread repression
