1. Economy and Politics Under Brezhnev

2. Introduction to Economy
By 1976, Soviet model already showing signed of crisis
Had been masked by things like Sputnik, first man in space, aid to allies, development of high-tech weaponry

3. Planned Economy
1928, Stalin first Five-Year Plan for ‘socialism in one country’
Had not been the world-wide revolution Lenin had predicted
Gosplan
1955, Khrushchev reformed with modernization
Didn’t really work, hard-liners skeptical
Overthrown in 1964

4. Soviet Economy From
Brezhnev first secretary, Alexei Kosygin prime minister
Time characterized by stagnation
Some attempts at industrial reform by Kosygin
Revived Khrushchev’s push for autonomy in factories
Took control from party, received opposition
Brezhnev obstructed him, argued for agricultural buildup over industry, actually led to increases
Kosygin’s plan worked for a while, but then returned to centralization

5. Brezhnev’s Policies
Early 70s, Soviets seemed strong, militarily and industrially
Brezhnev maintained kolkhozy collectives
9th Five-Year Plan , expanded production of light consumer goods
1973, oil crisis, boom in raw materials, opportunity to reform Soviet economy, did not

6. 10th Five-Year Plan (1976-80) Gold, oil and gas producer
1976, called for further consolidation of kolkhozy, but many operating at a loss due to costs
Brezhnev raised wages, kept workers happy
Still problems, 1979 have to buy from N. America
Brezhnev just increased state investment, not a solution
Showed real signs of industrial slowdown, less production then planned
1979, decree on industry, still decline
Little fresh thinking, did create ‘associations’
Still problems with workers
Brezhnev continued movement toward consumer goods, but slowed again in 1976

7. Social Developments and Developed Socialism
Many aspects of life improved under Brezhnev
Social wages improved
Trade unions opened opportunities
Social mobility slowed
Other social problems
Despite problems in 1966, Soviets thought they were in a second phase called “developed socialism”

8. Economic Reforms 1982-85 Brezhnev died in 1982, second-longest tenure
Admitted in 1981 there were economic difficulties
Had considered becoming closer to China to improve security
Sec. of Ideology Yuri Andropov had been posturing
Supported by Minister of Defence, rather than Konstantin Chernenko who had support of PM Tikhanov
Military coup?

9. Andropov and Reform
Had been Hungarian ambassador in 1956, seen attempts at reform
Was KGB, had accurate info on what was working
Did not want to end Soviet system, just modify it
Campaigns against absenteeism, alcoholism
Tried to make his camp younger, avoid Brezhnev’s ‘drift’
Protégé Gorbachev
More power to managers, rewards for production, similar to Kosygin
1983, contradicted ‘developed socialism’
Died in Feb. 1984, not enough time

10. Chernenko and ‘Drift’ Andropov hoped for Gorbachev to replace him
Those opposed to reforms, Brezhnevites, decided on Konstantin Chernenko, 72, old
Probably due to his weaknesses
‘Look before you leap’
Limited changes
Increased defense budget
Against corruption
Chernenko ill in 1984
Govt. run by defense minister Dimitri Ustinov and Gorbachev
Gorbachev taking ideological control
Became general-secretary in 1985

11. Impact of Cold War on Economy
Impact of arms race meant limited industrial and agricultural reforms
Spent twice as much proportionally to the US
Arms industry known as ‘steel eaters’
May have been the point of ending détente
Threat of US meant limited reforms until Gorbachev

12. Introduction to Politics
After 1976, somewhere in transition between socialism and capitalism
Battle between party control and economic control
Failure to recognize problems during Brezhnev meant problems later

13. Brezhnev’s Early Consolidation
After Khrushchev, cant be PM and CPSU leader
Brezhnev first secretary, Kosygin PM, Nikolai Podgorny became head of state
Khrushchev’s reforms reversed
Brezhnev asserted dominance, title to general-secretary
Sought stability

14. Nomenklatura and Brezhnev Mafia
Nomenklatura a long list of reliable members
Also helped to have a sponsor
Top-heavy with aging hardliners
Brezhnev Mafia, men working with him since 40s
1978, average age was 68
Favored continuation
Did remove potential threats like Podgorny, took presidency
Able to block Kosygin’s reforms
Supporters appreciated stability after Stalin and Khrushchev

15. Cult of Personality 1976, ‘universally acclaimed leader’
1980, gave himself Second Order
Evidence were 1982 elections, right before his death, no changes

16. Party Stagnation and Corruption
Conservatism had an impact on membership
Brezhnev also made stricter requirements
KGB noted increasing corruption
Younger members appalled, public had less respect

17. Developed Socialism Khrushchev had sought true classless society
Had even envisioned multi-party state
Brezhnev reversed mass political involvement
The educated became frustrated
1971, ‘Developed socialism’ meant construction stage was over, became spoken of less and less

18. Brezhnev Constitution
1977, 60th Anniversary of 1936 Constitution
Declared developed status
CPSU the leading force
Had been intended to introduce socialist democracy, contained various freedoms
Not really present

19. Dissidents
Some pushed limits as Soviets would not go back to harshness of Stalin
Brezhnev tightened some controls, treated dissidents as spies or psychologically disturbed
1966, limits on ‘false information’, attitudes further hardened after Prague Spring in 68
Standards of living meant some acceptance so opposition may have been limited
Some underground material
1975 Helsinki Accords were a boost
Many saw progress was being halted

20. Nationalism
Dissent in Eastern Europe – Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Afghanistan
Brezhnev uses media to dismiss them
Gorbachev will not be able to handle these movements

21. Brezhnev’s Foreign Policies
Economic pressures meant Brezhnev sought improved relations with the West
Also playing against China
Czech invasion of 68 initially made détente difficult
Kosygin tried to improve West relations
Brezhnev needed bargaining power, continued buildup while opening talks
SALT in 1970
1976 US decided to begin ending détente

22. Eastern Europe and Afghanistan
Brezhnev needed buffer of Eastern Europe
Motivated response to Hungarian Uprising and Prague Spring
Brezhnev Doctrine in Comecon allies
Poland borrowed from Western banks
Solidarity formed in 1980 by Lech Walesa
Revolution in government
Solidarity sent away
Other Eastern European states began relationships with West
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan an example of Brezhnev Doctrine in 1979

23. Andropov and Politics
Made changes on lower levels to push through reforms
Tough stance on corruption to weaken Brezhnev appointees
Had no plans for fundamental changes though, arrested the ‘Russian New Left’
Had experience with dissenters as former head of KGB
Did encourage normal citizens to voice concerns, less arbitrary arrests
Conservative approach to foreign policy, did not withdraw from Afghanistan
Reduced space program and suggested further arms control

24. Chernenko and Politics
Brezhnevite, won out over Gorbachev
Maintained his conservatism, limited personnel changes
Continued countering corruption, hard line on dissent
Tried to resume détente, Reagan’s Star Wars made it impossible
Gorbachev made himself a champion of reform and military reduction, takes power when Chernenko died in 85

25. Paper 1 Practice, Question 1 A How successful were economic reforms under Brezhnev?

26. Paper 2 Outline Practice
How did Brezhnev’s style of rule contribute to the developing political crisis of the Soviet Union up to 1982?