Economic— intro, long term, initial reforms

Question 1

How had the soviet government justified their legitimacy to rule?

Answer 1

Demonstrating its ability to meet the MATERIAL NEEDS of the people

Question 2

After what event meant that the acquiescence of the population was based more and more on the government ensuring provision of their MATERIAL and WELFARE needs?

Answer 2

Reduction in terror after 1953

Question 3

Gorbachev became general secretary in?

Answer 3

1985

Question 4

Which report highlighted the weaknesses of the Soviet economic system?

When?

Who compiled?

Answer 4

Novosibirsk Report

1983

Tatyana Zaslavskaya — leading economic sociologist

Question 5

What did the Novosibirsk Report draw attention to?

It’s heading?

Answer 5

Growing crisis in agriculture caused by state inefficiency and inflexibility

“For internal use only”

Question 6

How did the politburo react when the Novosibirsk Report was distributed to them?

Answer 6

Most of the ageing members did not understand the conclusions of the report/ chose to ignore them

Gorbachev realised reform was needed BUT less clear about how —> period of trial and error

Question 7

Gorbachev’s initial steps?

Answer 7

Cautions

Positioning of like minded reformers into key positions

Question 8

One of gorbachevs main rivals in the Politburo who was dismissed?

When?

Answer 8

Grigory Romanov

July 1985

Question 9

Key reformers brought into politburo?

Answer 9

Yegor Ligachev

Nikolai Ryzhkov

Question 10

Which two figures were promoted to the Central Committee in 1986?

Answer 10

Boris Yeltsin— the First Secretary of the Party in Moscow

Alexander Yakovlev

Both leading figures in push for reform

Question 11

Gorbachevs inital approach echoed that of … due to the campaign to …

Answer 11

Andropov— his mentor

Attack the problem of rampant alcoholism

Question 12

What did Gorbachev hope the campaign against alcohol would do?

Answer 12

Improve health of population AND improve productivity of Soviet workforce

Question 13

By the mid-1980s, alcohol accounted for … of all household spending

Answer 13

15%

Partly bc of lack of other goods in shops

Question 14

Alcohol had a detrimental effect on the workforce— many regularly turned up drunk

Gorbachevs statement? When?

Answer 14

We can’t build Communism on vodka

April 1985

Question 15

Government measures to curb drinking:

Answer 15

Legal age for consumption raised to 21

Number of retail outlets where alcohol could be bought was reduced

Vineyards were destroyed and distilleries closed

Cost of vodka in shops tripled

Question 16

Campaign against alcohol produced some benefits, at least at first, but (economic effect)

Answer 16

The tax revenues that the government gained from alcohol fell markedly
Caused a serious shortfall in the budget

Question 17

Drinking levels started to rise after a while as…

Answer 17

Illegal moonshine liquor was produced in large quantities and often in unhygienic conditions

Question 18

ALCOHOL

soon became clear that relying on the workforce to be more disciplined and sober

Answer 18

Would not solve the underlying problems of the soviet economy