Flaws in Soviet Leadership

Who were the old, sick leaders? Leonid Brezhnev (led from 1964) - had made agreements with Ford in 1974 on SALT 2 Treaty, but judged as too right-wing - questionable whether he understood the terms of agreements in his old age - leadership often argued as marking the beginning of a period of economic stagnation that resulted in the collapse of the Soviet Union Yuri Andropov (led from Nov 1982) - attempt to start domestic reform/economic improvements - diminished any hope of change as he clamped down on actions that undermined Communist power - half-heartedly explored negotiations to withdraw from Afghanistan Konstantin Chernenko (led from Feb 1984) - conservative who represented desire of Politburo to avoid reforms - did little to prevent escalation of Cold War

Old, sick leaders… Brezhnev Andropov Chernenko

The gerontocracy – why couldn’t the old, sick leaders halt the problems in the Soviet bloc? Soviet policy in the early 80s grinded to a halt…in desperate need of reform but the nature of the old and infirm leaders meant their physical conditions prevented strong, decisive leadership. Brezhnev dies, 1982 – physical capacity prevented change in direction of policy. Andropov dies, 1984 – seemed he would have introduced policy initiatives with domestic reforms but wired to dialysis “the most switched on man in the Kremlin”. Chernenko dies, 1985 – represented desire of majority to avoid reform but dies of emphysema. Reagan: “How am I supposed to get any place with the Russians, if they keep dying on me?”

ROLE OF MIKHAIL GORBACHEV WHO WAS HE? – into power -Was determined to transform and revive USSR. -Wanted to modernise and streamline the Communist party – form of new policies, reconstruct party, economy and government. -New thinking made impact on foreign affairs; relations with China and withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1990 led to end of Cold War AIMS -Outlined aims in a speech to party Conference – wanted centralised system -DIDN’T want to end communism – wanted to REPLACE the existing system. Still Stalinist, with socialist, humane, democratic system. -Policies failed, leading to collapse of communism, break up of USSR and end of his career. NEW POLICIES GLASNOST -> human rights -> cultural affairs -> media to be more independent -> freedom in news reporting ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -> 1986 announcement of new economic management. -> small scale private enterprise, family restaurants, tv repairs, private tuition allowed. -> motives = desire to provide competition for state inefficient services POLITICAL CHANGES -> 1987 Gorbachev announced motives of democracy. -> 1988 dramatic changes in central gov’t achieved WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIS POLICIES? -> Opposition from radicals and conservatives -> economic reforms didn’t produce results quickly enough -> nationalist pressures -> Rivalry between Gorbachev and Yeltsin G thought voluntary = disintegration Hope party transformed -> democratic, humane G more cautious – Y’s plans would cause unemployment, higher prices. Was unpopular already. Believed union should be voluntary Disillusioned with Comm. Party Thought rapid changeover meant economy = painful for Russians

Gorbachev’s policies of Perestrokia, Glasnot and democratisation led to a more critical approach towards communism Popular opinion in USSR gradually led to an adoption of some western policies, and it provoked some to reject communism Gorbachev’s policies encouraged eastern European communist reformers to do the same By 1988 “Gorby Mania” was spreading throughout eastern Europe – Those pushing for change called for Gorbachev’s ideas to be implemented in their own country. This attempt to liberalise changed USSR’s attitude towards Eastern Europe, and it provoked Gorbachev to renounce the Brezhnev doctrine. This helped lead to the end of the cold war as it made the hold of communism over Eastern Europe much more unstable.

The end of the Brezhnev Doctrine It was formulated in 1968 after the soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia. It stated that whenever capitalism intervened in socialist countries they reserved the right to uphold the socialist countries. Gorbachev disagreed with the Doctrine for various reasons.

There was growing disillusionment with soviet intervention in Afghanistan Support in other socialist regimes in the soviet sphere was highly expensive Gorbachev believed that the way to revitalise communism was to introduce a degree of liberalism. He believed that the use of armed intervention was in most cases morally wrong and he refused to inflict force to keep socialism under control

The Consequences… The consequences of the end of the Brezhnev Doctrine were massive. A trend gathered, and many countries in eastern Europe began having free elections. Eastern European leaders who wanted to resist reform were now faced with the problem, they couldn’t rely on soviet military intervention to buttress their regimes. Evidence that Gorbachev meant what he said came in 1989 when hungry adopted multiparty system and polish elections returned a non communist government.

Without the tensions generated by the cold war, there was no reason to have control over eastern Europe. The end of the Brezhnev Doctrine helped bring an end to the cold war as it meant the USSR would no longer invade other countries therefore the threat of communism spreading was over. America was no longer afraid of communism spreading.

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