The Cult of Brezhnev Flashcards
Why was Brezhnev’s cult useful after 1964?
He sought to emerge as “first among equals” (against Kosygin & Podgomy)
Brezhnev’s Cult was less of a method of securing power, and more
A substitute for it
He could have the SYMBOLS of power, without actually EXERCISING it
Why was Brezhnev a popular leader in the party?
He was reluctant to bring change
How many medals did Brezhnev have?
Including? For what?
At least 200
Lenin prize for literature- his memoirs- (poorly written, exaggerated his role in WWII)
Evidence that Brezhnev was content with the trappings of power?
Medals awarded
Soviet joke suggested Brezhnev was having his chest expanded to accommodate more
Brezhnev was not unaware of the ridiculous aspects of his cult BUT it did not seem to have affected his ________________
As he said “_____________________”
Popularity
If they are poking fun at me, it means they like me.
After 1975, what was the more practical element of the cult that was taken on when Brezhnev’s health deteriorated?
It provides the APPEARANCE of leadership to the population, if nothing else
Brezhnev had had a stroke, heart attack, and was incapacitated.
Which historian claimed that, for the last (?) of his life, Brezhnev was clinically dead
Roy Medvedev
6 months
Brezhnev decided to adopt a leadership cult to ___________ his power and help __________ the regime.
Consolidate
Stabilise
By 1964, the cult of the leader was well established as
An essential feature of Soviet politics
PROPAGANDA SAYS BREZHNEV IDEALLY SUITED TO HIS ROLE BECAUSE:
A great Leninist
Hadn’t known him BUT continuing his work (particularly in striving for world peace)
PROPAGANDA SAYS BREZHNEV IDEALLY SUITED TO HIS ROLE BECAUSE:
A military hero
Military leader,
Official publications stressed his military prowess in WWII
Promoted to Marshall of Red Army
Received 60 medals
What position was Brezhnev promoted to?
How many military medals did he receive?
Marshall of the Red Army
60
PROPAGANDA SAYS BREZHNEV IDEALLY SUITED TO HIS ROLE BECAUSE:
Dedicated to ensuring________
World peace
Stressed his foreign policy successes in DEVELOPING DÉTENTE with USA
PROPAGANDA SAYS BREZHNEV IDEALLY SUITED TO HIS ROLE BECAUSE:
A true man of the people
Brezhnev biographies told of:
his HUMBLE ORIGINS
how he worked as an ENGINEER in the STEEL INDUSTRY
