Khrushchev Brezhnev And The Promotion Of A Stable Society 1953-85

Question 1

What were Khruschev’s and Brezhnev’s thoughts on welfare?

Answer 1

They wanted to build on Stalin’s achievements by improving welfare.

For Brezhnev, these improvements were essential to a ‘social contract’ which underpinned his regime

Question 2

What was welfare like under Khruschev?

Answer 2

Improving the lives of working people was a central part of his vision of socialism.

• doubled spending on healthcare 1950-59
• quadrupled the pensions budget 1950-65
• 1961 introduced:
— free lunches in schools, offices, factories
— free public transport
— free pensions and healthcare for farmers

Because of his increased investment, there were significant improvements in life expectancy:
• 1950– death rate (9.7/1000), infant mortality rate (81 per 1,000 live births)
• 1965– death rate (7.3), infant mortality (27)

Question 3

What was housing like 1953-85?

Answer 3

One of Khruschev’s main priorities &
His approach to housing was continued under Brezhnev

Khrushchev invested in the development of new building methods to solve the soviet housing crisis: led to the K-7 housing block (nicknamed Khrushchyovka)— low-cost blocks that could be constructed quickly and easily from large prefabricated concrete panels and standardised windows and doors, rather than being built slowly from brick.
^^^ allowed families to have an entire apartment, with running water and central heating, rather than being forced to live in a single room or share a dorm. ✅✅✅

(Designed as temporary buildings BUT became the standard model for all new homes
Their construction continued throughout the 70s and 80s)

Question 4

What was Brezhnev’s ‘social contract’?

Answer 4

Brezhnev abandoned Khruschev’s goal of achieving communism by 1980
BUT
Continued to invest in welfare— its provision was part of a ‘social contract’ between gov & people: tacit bargain— people supported the gov & the gov guaranteed a rising standard of living.

Question 5

What were soviet citizens guaranteed under the social contract?

Answer 5

• JOB SECURITY— guaranteed full employment
• LOW PRICES for essential goods
• a thriving SECOND ECONOMY free of gov interference
• SOCIAL BENEFITS— eg. Free healthcare
• some SOCIAL MOBILITY

Question 6

How did Brezhnev extend welfare provision?

Answer 6

Made it include:

• subsidised RENT
• subsidised ELECTRICITY and WATER— most utilities provided almost free of charge
• subsidised HOLIDAYS
• increased spending on healthcare & pensions every year

Question 7

Talk to me about social stability under Brezhnev

Answer 7

His social contract, generally, succeeded in promoting social stability.

• During the late 60s & 70s, society citizens (esp. those in cities) enjoyed the highest STANDARD OF LIVING ever in the Soviet Union.
^^^
Government benefits + black market trading = most citizens guaranteed a secure and comfortable life

• ORGANISED OPPOSITION to the government was extremely rare.
^^^
By ensuring a relatively high and rising standard of living,
Brezhnev’s policies broadly succeeded
in creating a stable society 64-85

Question 8

What were the social problems under Brezhnev?

Answer 8

Despite increased welfare provision, social problems persisted under Brezhnev:

• policies based on very traditional ideas about the role of women: often refused jobs in industry due to prejudice. In some areas, female unemployment as high as 10%
• life expectancy declined: 68 to 64 years for men during the 1970s— mainly cause alcoholism