Brezhnev Doctrine

Definition

The Brezhnev Doctrine was a key foreign policy principle of the Soviet Union during Leonid Brezhnev's leadership, asserting that the USSR had the right to intervene in the affairs of other socialist countries to protect socialism and maintain communist rule. This doctrine justified military interventions in Eastern Europe and shaped the relationship between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, influencing both internal politics and international relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Brezhnev Doctrine was articulated in 1968 as a response to the Prague Spring, where reforms threatened to weaken Soviet control over Eastern Europe.
2. This doctrine allowed for military interventions by the Soviet Union to prevent any shift away from socialism in its satellite states, leading to actions like the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
3. Under the Brezhnev Doctrine, any socialist government that was seen as moving away from communism could be subjected to intervention, promoting a climate of fear among Eastern European leaders.
4. The doctrine significantly shaped East-West relations by demonstrating the lengths to which the USSR would go to maintain its influence over Eastern Europe.
5. The Brezhnev Doctrine began to lose relevance by the late 1980s as nationalist movements surged across Eastern Europe, leading to revolutions and changes in government that challenged Soviet authority.

Review Questions

• How did the Brezhnev Doctrine impact Soviet military interventions in Eastern Europe during Brezhnev's leadership?
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine justified military interventions in Eastern Europe whenever socialist governments faced threats or reform movements that deviated from communist principles. This doctrine led to significant events such as the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, where the USSR intervened to suppress the Prague Spring reforms. By establishing this principle, the Soviet Union aimed to maintain strict control over its satellite states and prevent any potential shifts toward Western-style governance.
• Evaluate the implications of the Brezhnev Doctrine for Eastern European countries and their relationship with the Soviet Union.
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine created an environment of insecurity among Eastern European nations, as it positioned them under constant scrutiny from Moscow. This meant that any move towards reform or independence could provoke a harsh response from the Soviets. Consequently, leaders in these countries often felt pressured to adhere strictly to communist ideals, knowing that deviation could result in military intervention. This dynamic fostered resentment and resistance among the populace, ultimately contributing to growing nationalist movements.
• Analyze how the decline of support for the Brezhnev Doctrine in the late 1980s contributed to the 1989 revolutions across Eastern Europe.
  • As nationalist movements gained momentum in the late 1980s, support for the Brezhnev Doctrine began to erode both domestically and internationally. The failure of the Soviet Union to effectively respond to calls for reform highlighted its weakening grip on Eastern Europe. As regimes faced mounting pressure from their citizens and a shift in Moscow's approach under Gorbachev's policies of glasnost and perestroika, countries like Poland and Hungary experienced revolutions that led to significant political changes. The diminishing threat of Soviet intervention empowered these movements, culminating in widespread transformations across Eastern Europe by 1989.

Related terms

Prague Spring: A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during 1968, which was ultimately suppressed by a Soviet-led invasion.

Warsaw Pact: A military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, established in response to NATO, which provided a framework for collective defense among member states.

Détente: A phase of improved relations between the Soviet Union and the West during the 1970s, characterized by negotiations and arms control agreements.