Brezhnev's Control

Question 1

why did he reverse de-stalinisation?

Answer 1

it had upset many party members

Question 2

limits on tenure were…

Answer 2

removed

Question 3

division of party into agri & industrial sectors was

Answer 3

dropped

Question 4

trust in cadres

Answer 4

• most party officials, including those at the top, could enjoy long, unbroken tenures
• membership increased from 6.9mil (1953) to 17mil (1980)

Question 5

what happened with subjectivism?

Answer 5

• ended - decisions would no longer be made by the leader without consulting the party
• constantly consulted colleagues & had inner core of politburo to discuss important issues
• prepared to retain those who might be rivals eg kosygin as pm

Question 6

third party congress of 1966

Answer 6

• involved so little discussion it was known as ‘the congress of silences’
• only changes = presidium –> politburo, and first secretary –> general secretary

Question 7

what medals did he award himself?

Answer 7

• lenin peace prize
• lenin prize for literature

Question 8

how did he enjoy his power?

Answer 8

• gathered a collection of western limousines
• developed a taste for hunting
• enjoyed the luxuries of life at the top

Question 9

why did stagnation happen?

Answer 9

• oligarchy
• he lacked ability to deal with detail, leaving it to others
• trusted party comrades & let them get on with their jobs

Question 10

oligarchy

Answer 10

rule by a small elite who govern in their own interests

Question 11

how were promotions different?

Answer 11

• before = promos mostly involved moving to another part of the USSR to gain experience & spread new ideas
• after = promos made within the ranks of the local pty membership after being in a jr posish - limited innovation & change within the system

Question 12

corruption

Answer 12

• went unnoticed, particularly in remoter parts
• ‘cotton fair’ exposed later under gorbs = millions of roubles being claimed for non-existent cotton (officials fiddled figures)

Question 13

nepotism

Answer 13

party officials ensured jobs were given to family members

Question 14

gerontocracy

Answer 14

rule was placed in the hands of an increasingly aged group of geriatrics

Question 15

gerontocracy stat & how did this change meetings

Answer 15

by 1984, 7/11 politburo members were over 70 yrs - meetings were now only 40 minutes

Question 16

his daughter issue

Answer 16

• affair with boris ‘the gypsy’ who had links with diamond smuggling

Question 17

andropov

Answer 17

• recognised need for reform
• wanted to solve corruption but attempts were hampered by lack of charm & too ill to follow through with ideas
• reliant on a kidney dialysis machine by the end
• suggested gorbs as his successor

Question 18

chernenko

Answer 18

• act of self preservation they chose him rather than gorbs
• mid-70s & dying of emphysema