Theme 1 Brezhnev - Chernenko Flashcards
How did Brezhnev establish his power over the Party?
Restored the trust in the party that had led to Khrushchev’s downfall
- Removed Khrushchev’s “hare-brained schemes”
- Reversed some Destalinisation
What were Brezhnev’s qualities?
He had a good personality that meant he could get his way without conflict.
“Organisation man” gave politburo sense of unity through calming down competing party leaders
What aspects of de-Stalinisation did Brezhnev reverse?
- Dropped divisions into agriculture and industry sections
- Limits on Tenure in the party dropped
- Created a “trust in Cadres” where party members (cadres) had job security without interference. This increased the members of the party
- No more “subjectivism” where decisions could be made without consulting the party. Used position as General Secretary to ensure he got the right information
- Soviet Constitution of 1977 meant that there could be criticisms if party incompetent or ineffective
What happened at the Third Party Congress of 1966?
There was little discussion. Changed Presidium to Politburo and First Secretary to General Secretary.
Made the approach to desalinisation more conservative and cautious.
There was little discussion hence the political stagnation throughout his leadership
What evidence is there that Brezhnev ‘enjoyed the trappings of power’?
He awarded himself numerous awards and badges such as the Lenin Prize for Literature.
He enjoyed a life of luxury where he developed tastes for hunting and collecting limousines.
Had less personal power than Stalin or Khrushchev
By 1980, what had become of the Party leadership?
Developed into an oligarchy (small elite who govern in own interests).
Brezhnev ensured the promotion of old colleagues that had mediocre talent.
- This heavily limited innovation and change in the system
What impact did an Oligarchy have on corruption?
Nepotism was rife in the party as officials jobs were passed down to family
What evidence is there that, by the early 1980s, the Soviet Union ‘gave the impression of
being a vast system grinding to a halt’?
Developed into a “gerontocracy” where the key officials in the party were older in age.
By 1984, 7 of the 11 members of the Politburo were over 70.
What impact did Andropov have?
Yuri Andropov had recognised the need to reform.
He was concerned about corruption within the party.
His attempts to deal with it however were never implemented due to him becoming severely ill.
- He wanted Gorbachev, a younger leader, to take control after him. The party instead appointed Chernenko
Summary of Khrushchev to Chernenko?
Changed the government from a personal dictatorship to an oligarchy of differing interest groups.
Although terror reduced. the party relied on subtle methods such as secure jobs, status and privileges. Conservatives benefitted heavily
What was the cotton affair? and when?
Occurred in the 1980s.
Millions of Roubles claimed for a non-existent cotton where officials had changed the figures. Example of corruption. This was not exposed until Gorbachev era.
What was the Brezhnev doctrine? and when?
1968
The idea that one country could intervene if socialism was threatened in another country.
This was implemented to prevent Czechoslovakia from implementing liberal reforms (prague springs 1968). Brezhnev intervened violently to supress this “attack on socialism”.
What were Andropov’s new campaigns?
ANTI - CORRUPTION = investigate senior party members
ANTI-DRUNKNESS + ABSENTEEISM = arrested those found drunk or absent from work
These were never fully implemented due to Andropov’s declining health.
What was the bulldozer exhibition?
1974
An example of a Brezhnev intimidation tactic
Bulldozers sent to destroy illegal art gallery
How did Brezhnev use terror?
He would either emigrate dissidents or send to asylums as he disliked mass purging.
Brezhnev removed show trials
However, used police to intimidate. 7,000 people received police warnings.
