Fall of the soviet union- political reforms Flashcards
Glasnost
It was taken to mean increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities in the soviet union. It allowed soviet citizens to discuss publicly the problems of their system and potential solutions.
What was the impact of glasnost?
What started as a method of getting new ideas to revitalise the communist party and re-engage the population with the party descended into an open attack on corrupt practises.
What were the key criticisms of the party following glasnost?
- complaints about poor harvests were popular
- investigations into Stalin’s great terror and famine
- environmental issues were a popular topic particularly in the Aral sea.
The Chernobyl nuclear accident in April 1986.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant resulted in a wave of radioactive fallout drifting over much of northern Europe. No official announcement was made until they were forced to respond after urgent calls from Scandinavian scientists. They had failed to evacuate the soviet people and this had a huge effect on future births with increased cases of leukaemia and birth deformities. This showed to Gorbachev that glasnost was necessary.
How did the Chernobyl incident show weaknesses in the soviet government?
- the nuclear power plant was badly managed and used outdated equipment
- it had a poor record of health
- its deficiencies were covered up by secrecy and evasion
- it did little to help Gorbachev’s international reputation
What was glasnost like by 1989?
The Soviet population was much more politicised due to Glasnost. 60,000 informal groups added to the voices of political reform. Instead of producing support for gorbachev, it resulted in an criticism against the party, much of it directed at Gorbachev for his weakness in pursuing radical reform.
Defining the functions of party and state
Gorbachev separated party and state but this was hard due to the nomenklatura system as lines between the two were blurred.
Shifting power from party to soviets
This was attempted by allocating more finance to the soviets to increase the resources to support their role
Streamlining the party
The departments of the central committee were reduced from 21 to 9 and 6 new commissions were created. It was accompanied by similar measures to streamline the state. Nov 1985 gorbachev had created superministries to co-ordinate economic planning. Five ministries were merged into one for agriculture.
Moves to democratisation and its impact
- early 1987, Gorbachev discussed the idea of secret ballot
- 19th party congress, Gorbachev announced the principle of multi-candidate elections would be extended to national level for the new congress of people’s deputies.
How did the congress of people’s deputies affect the party?
It represented a significant change in the context of the soviet union as it had weakened the irretrievably the power of the communist party. These reforms were criticised for being little more than tinkering with the system. While there is some truth in this, the reforms were definitely a step in the right direction.
How did the failure to reform affect many reformers to think?
It convinced reformers that the only solution was a move to pluralism which was a multi-party system whereby they would have to earn its right to govern.
Increasing divisions within the party
Gorbachev’s failure to make substantial reform alienated both liberals and conservates within the party. The increasing divisions undermined the authority of Gorbachev who struggled to find common ground between them.
Alienating reformers
For the more radical reformers, like Yeltsin, there was an increasing realisation would not carry through the reforms they felt were needed and desired. For example, Yeltsin openly attacked Gorbachev saying his reforms were too slow. He was subsequently sacked and removed from the Politburo.
Alienating conservatives
1988, the hard line communists attempted to strike back and gain some control over events. For example, a letter was published by an unknown communist in a newspaper that complained about the constant undermining of the work of Stalin and the demoralising impact of Glasnost. Ligachev, who was acting as head in Gorbachev’s absence decided to take the initiative and use this letter as a way to speed up reform. This was worrying for Gorbachev as many of both sides agreed.
The development of factions
the democratisation was to open up the possibility of both sides (liberal and conservative) to open up to the public for wider support. Informal groupings decided to emerge during the elections. Key figures like Yeltsin created groups to oppose the government when the congress met.
The abolition of article 6
Article 6 stated that the communist party held the position of ‘the leading and guiding force of soviet society and the nucleus of its political system.’ This article enshrined the idea of a one-party state and therefore became a symbolic target for critics who wished to push forward real democracy. Following great criticism, in 1990 Gorbachev abolished article 6 allowing other parties to be established to contest in elections and ended the communist party’s monopoly on power.
What was the impact of the removal of article 6
The communist party was powerless and this was apparent as they lost many seats during elections. Yeltsin’s new party, Democratic platform, had scored victory. In June, he dramatically resigned from the party freeing his ties from communism.
What was the political system like after this?
The political vacuum in central government was filled, at least temporarily, by the election of Gorbachev to the position of president to the USSR and the congress of people’s deputies. Presidential rule replaced party rule in theory. In practise, power had shifted from the centre to the regions.
