Khrushchev Brezhnev welfare Flashcards
What was Khrushchevs aim to achieve in regard to welfare
Aims was to improve lives of working people
What was Welfare like under Khrushchev?
- Doubled spending on healthcare from 1950 - 1959
- Quadrupled pensions budget from 1950 - 1965
- In 1961 introduced free lunches in schools, factories and free transport
As a result of Khrushchevs improvements in welfare?
Improvements in Soviet life expectancy:
Death rate ( per 1000)
(1950 9.7) (1965 7.3)
Infant mortality rate (per 1000)
(1950 81) (1965 27)
What did Khrushchev invest in housing
Development of new building methods:
K-7 housing block nicknamed Khrushchyovka
What’s the Khrushchyovka
- Low cost blocks
- Could be constructed quickly from prefabricated concentrate panels
What was the effect of the Khrushchyovka
New blocks allowed better quality of life from living in 1 room for families
Running water central heatinh
Through temporary Khrushchyovka built during 1970s-80s
How did Brezhnev view welfare provision?
‘Social Contract’ between government and the people
‘Social Contract’ a tacit bargain in which people supported gov as gov guaranteed rising standard of living
What did Brezhnev guarantee his Soviet citizens
- Job security
- low price for essential goods
- Social benefits such as free healthcare
Extended: - Subsidies rent
- subsidies holidays
What was Brezhnev’s Social contract effect:
Succeeded in social stability:
During 1960s -70s Soviet citizens ( city 1s) enjoyed highest standard of living ever experienced in Soviet Union
Why did Brezhnev’s social contact succeed
combination of:
Gov benefits
Trading on black market
Citizens guaranteed a secure and comfortable life ( no organised opposition)
What social problems existed under Brezhnev
- Based on traditional roles of women - Women often refused jobs in industry due to prejudice
- Female unemployment high as 10%
- Life expectancy declined from 68 - 64 for men during 1970s ( alcohol main reason)
