State Control of Mass Media and Propaganda Under Brezhnev

Question 1

What happened to film and television culture under Brezhnev?

Answer 1

It changed

Question 2

Which themes became more prominent in film and television?

Answer 2

Traditional and conventional themes that often conformed to Soviet ideals

There were traditional elements - such as films celebrating Soviet victory in the Second World War

Question 3

How did film and television culture change under Brezhnev?

Answer 3

The Brezhnev era was marked by a return to conservatism and a crackdown on dissent

The cultural policies became more restrictive - limiting artistic freedom

Question 4

How did film and television culture not change under Brezhnev? What continued from Khrushchev?

Answer 4

Many films continued to deal with working people and their daily lives

Question 5

What did Soviet film makers tend to focus on?

Answer 5

Fashionable citizens living in luxurious apartments

Question 6

The focus on fashionable citizens living in luxurious apartments in Soviet films during the Brezhnev era can be seen as both good and bad. What are some positives?

Answer 6

Consumer Aspirations
Image of Prosperity

Question 7

Consumer Aspirations

Answer 7

These Soviet films consequently stoked public desire for consumer goods and fashion. This aligned with efforts to promote economic growth and production of consumer goods

Question 8

Image of Prosperity

Answer 8

A form of propaganda to showcase the supposed success and well-being of the Soviet state under the new leadership

Question 9

The focus on fashionable citizens living in luxurious apartments in Soviet films during the Brezhnev era can be seen as both good and bad. What are some negatives?

Answer 9

Inequality and Discontent

Question 10

Inequality and Malcontent

Answer 10

Focusing on a minority of fashionable citizens living luxuriously accentuated social inequalities - leading to discontent among those who did not experience such affluence

This was counterproductive to the image of a classless and egalitarian society promoted by the Soviet government

Question 11

Give an example of Brezhnev attempting to use television to his advantage?

Answer 11

The Soviet Government was able to keep tight control of the footage of the war in Afghanistan - so he could keep the truth about the scale and horrors of the war hidden

Soviet officials also ensured that Brezhnev was at the centre of a great deal of domestic media coverage

Question 12

Soviet officials also ensured that Brezhnev was at the centre of a great deal of domestic media coverage. Give one way this was achieved.

Answer 12

His speeches were transmitted in full

Question 13

Brezhnev attempted to use television to his advantage. How did this tactic backfire by the late 1970s?

Answer 13

The cameras showed:
- A man who was clearly physically and mentally incapacitated
- A man who struggled to make speeches
- A man who became confused mid-sentence and had difficulty walking

Question 14

Television coverage of Brezhnev continued until the last week of his life. What did his last television appearance show?

Answer 14

Him struggling to walk up the steps of the Lenin Mausoleum

Question 15

Television voice-overs praised Brezhnev. Why did this not matter?

Answer 15

Viewers could see his physical and mental decline for themselves

Question 16

What did Soviet leaders lose control over under Brezhnev?

Answer 16

Print media

Question 17

The ___ continued to police _________ publications - particularly the work of __________.

This was undermined by the increasing availability of _______ _________ in Soviet cities - as part of the ______ _______.

These tended to be ________ magazines - such as _____.

Answer 17

KGB
political
dissidents

Western
magazines
second
economy

consumer
Vogue

Question 18

Vogue is not an overtly political magazine. How did it undermine faith in the Soviet system?

Answer 18

It showed the quality of Western goods and the luxury of Western lifestyles