Soviet Union and the Brezhnev Years

The Soviet Union and the Brezhnev Years

The Soviet Union formed in 1922 and was a one-party socialist state led by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). It was the first country in the world to be based on Marxist-Leninist principles. During its 69-year history, the Soviet Union was a world superpower which at times rivaled the economic, military, and political clout of the United States. The period known as the Brezhnev years, refers to the period of rule of Leonid Brezhnev, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 until his death in 1982. This period is regarded as the ‘Era of Stagnation’, in contrast to the dynamic years of Khrushchev, who preceded him.

Background on Leonid Brezhnev

Leonid Brezhnev was a Russian politician who became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1964 and served until his death in 1982. He was born in Ukraine to a working-class family and despite his humble beginnings, he went on to become one of the most influential figures in the entire Soviet Union. Brezhnev was known for his conservative approach to ruling, in contrast to the reformative policies of his predecessor, Nikita Khrushchev.

Characteristics of the Brezhnev Years

The Brezhnev years are noted for a variety of characteristics including:

1. Economic Stagnation: During the 1970s, the Soviet economy experienced a period of stagnation, typified by a decline in the economic growth rate, a decline in the rate of productivity, and an increase in inflation.

2. Centralization of Power: Brezhnev introduced a system of centralization, which saw power concentrated in the center and little decision-making delegated to the republics.

3.Greater Political Repression: During the Brezhnev years there was increased political repression across the Soviet Union, in part due to Brezhnev’s hardline views. This included the use of internal exile, the creation of rigid censorship, and an increase in the number of political prisoners.

4. Growing Discontent: As a result of the points mentioned above, there was a growing discontent among the population. This discontent was largely due to the economic decline, lack of freedoms, and lack of progress made in the Soviet Union during the period.

Domestic Policies of the Brezhnev Years

During the Brezhnev years, a number of domestic policies were enacted with varying degrees of success. These policies included:

1.Liberalization of the Economy: During the 1970s, the Soviet Union embarked on a policy of economic liberalization, which allowed more freedom to private enterprise, which in turn lead to a brief period of economic growth.

2. Increase in Public Spending: The Brezhnev government increased public spending, particularly in the area of national defense, which significantly increased the military and industrial capabilities of the Soviet Union.

3. Reunification with the Baltic States: In 1989, the Soviet Union recognized the independence of the former Soviet republics known as the Baltic States- Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. This was seen as an important foreign policy victory, given their re-entry into the international community.

4. Development of Infrastructure: There was a marked increase in the development of infrastructure during the Brezhnev years, including improvements in the roads, transport networks and telecommunications.

Foreign Policies of the Brezhnev Years

The Brezhnev administration adopted a number of foreign policy initiatives, which had a huge impact upon the international stage. These foreign policies included:

1. Invasion of Afghanistan: Brezhnev ordered the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, an action which was heavily criticized on the international stage and ultimately led to the war in Afghanistan.

2. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): In 1972, the Soviet Union and the United States signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Treaty, which aimed to limit the development of nuclear weapons. This was one of the most significant international disarmament agreements of the Cold War period.

3. African Expansion: The Soviet Union sought to increase its sphere of influence on the African continent during the Brezhnev years, leading to increased ties with a number of African countries.

4. Establishment of the Warsaw Pact: In 1955, the Soviet Union, along with seven other countries, signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, also known as the Warsaw Pact. This envisioned a collective security system in Europe and was seen as a direct response to the formation of the NATO alliance in 1949.

The Legacy of the Brezhnev Years

The Brezhnev era had an immense impact upon the Soviet Union and upon international politics. This can be seen in the following key legacies:

1. Ideological Legacies: The Brezhnev years saw the Soviet Union become increasingly entrenched in its Marxist-Leninist ideology, with a strong focus on centralized control, economic stagnation and state control.

2. The Fall of Communism: The policies of the Brezhnev years were a major factor in the fall of communism across Eastern Europe and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

3. Stabilization of International Politics: The foreign policies of the Brezhnev years helped to stabilize international politics during the Cold War period, with the signing of the SALT treaty and the establishment of the Warsaw Pact.

The Brezhnev years are seen as a period of stagnation in comparison to the years of Khrushchev, but the period still had an immense impact upon the history of the Soviet Union and upon international politics. Brezhnev’s domestic policies of economic liberalization and increased public spending, as well as his foreign policies, such as the invasion of Afghanistan and the establishment of the Warsaw Pact, had a huge influence upon the direction of the nation and the region during this time.