Unit one - Brezhnev

Question 1

stability

Answer 1

• Brezhnevs first reforms were to reverse Khrushchevs most unpopular party reforms and reversed aspects of de-stalinisation
• rejected the use of terror
• brezhnev believe the revolutionary transformation of society had been achieved between 1917-30. party became defenders of the status quo

Question 2

restoration

Answer 2

During 1964-65 leadership was based on an informal pact between
* kosygin (premier), state
* Brez (general secretary), party

They:
* ensured the 2 top gov jobs werent occupied by the same person (to avoid an all powerfull leader)
* they divided key posts in gov roughly equally between supporters of brezhnev and kosygin
* ensured party + state officials kept jobs for long periods to limimt the oppertunities for patronage

Question 3

Kosygin

Answer 3

1970 - Kosygin lost his position as premier and brezhnev emerged as the most powerfull figure in the USSR

Question 4

stability of cadres

Answer 4

• policy discouraged promotions or demotions within gov. Apart of kosygin/Brez pact to ensure few battles would be had over patronage
• replaced Khrushchevs 1961 policy of limited terms (which had been unpopular). Ensured support for the new leaders by giving politicians job security

Question 5

restoration of the party

Answer 5

Brez reformed the party

• centralisation: re-established the all-union ministries that K abolished
• B ended the split between industrial and agricultural wings of the party
• Article 6 - of the 1977 soviet constitution (the ‘brezhnev constitution). Officially recognised the partys leading role in soviet society.

Question 6

Gerontocracy

Answer 6

• between 1964-71 only 2 people were promoted to the politburo
• between 1966-71, between 80-90% of central comitte members retained thier jobs following party congress

average age of politburo members:
1966 - 58
1982 - 75

Question 7

Impacts of Gerontocracy

How did the gov become less effective?

Answer 7

• critics argued brez’s governing style created a generational gap between leadership and society. (the gov no longer understood society it was govenring)
• senior officials became increasingly ill and unable to preform their jobs

‘stability of cadres’:
* made middle-ranking officials stuck in dead end jobs with no promotion prospects
* gave no insentive for hard work

Question 8

Corruption

Answer 8

officials knew they would lkely not be discplined

Black market eg
* Yury Sokolov, director of a major moscow food store took bribes from rich customers for passing on luxury foods

Galina Brezhnev
* B’s duagther was able to access diamonds.
* millions of pounds worth of diamonds were smuggled out of the ussr by her love. He was only persecuted after B’s death