Andropov and Chernenko: Industry and agriculture

Question 1

Andropov’s veiw on the economy

Answer 1

• Unlike Brezhnev he was willing to admit that there were considerable economic problems which needed to be fixed
• But he was not willing to change the fundamental nature of the economy - command economy was fine but labour discipline was the issue

Question 2

anti corruption campaign

Answer 2

• November 1982
• investigated senior party officials and industrial managers who were using soviet resources to make themselves rich
• Nikolai Shelokov was sacked and put on trial for corruption

Question 3

Anti alcohol campaign

Answer 3

• Workers could be sacked for alcoholism and fined for damaging machinery when drunk
• Lead to a reduction in the consumption of Vodka, however an increase in ‘andropovka’ a lower quality and cheaper alcohol, didn’t change anything
• It was poorly enforced