Leonid Brezhnev

Definition

Leonid Brezhnev was a Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 until his death in 1982. His leadership is often characterized by a period of political stability and economic stagnation known as 'stagnation,' as well as increased military spending and a more aggressive foreign policy, including intervention in Eastern Europe and détente with the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Brezhnev's leadership saw a significant increase in military expenditure as he prioritized military strength, leading to heightened tensions during the Cold War.
2. Under Brezhnev, the Soviet Union intervened militarily in several Eastern European countries to suppress movements for reform, most notably during the Prague Spring in 1968.
3. The Brezhnev era was marked by a lack of significant economic reforms, which contributed to a stagnant economy that struggled to meet the needs of its citizens.
4. Brezhnev was known for his efforts to establish détente with the United States, highlighted by key arms control agreements such as the SALT I treaty.
5. His tenure ended with increasing internal dissent and health problems that ultimately led to his death in 1982, setting the stage for future changes within the Soviet Union.

Review Questions

• How did Brezhnev's policies during his leadership impact Soviet relations with Eastern European countries?
  • Brezhnev's policies were characterized by a strong commitment to maintaining Soviet influence over Eastern Europe. This was evident through his endorsement of the Brezhnev Doctrine, which justified military interventions to uphold communist governments. The most notable example was the suppression of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia in 1968, where Brezhnev sent troops to crush reformist movements, reinforcing a hardline stance that affected relations with other Eastern Bloc nations.
• Evaluate the significance of détente during Brezhnev's leadership and its effects on US-Soviet relations.
  • Détente was significant during Brezhnev's era as it represented a shift towards reducing hostilities between the superpowers. Key arms control agreements like SALT I marked attempts at cooperation and limited nuclear arms growth. However, while détente provided temporary relief from Cold War tensions, it was also paradoxically accompanied by increased military spending and assertive foreign policies by both sides, indicating underlying tensions remained.
• Analyze how Brezhnev's approach to governance contributed to both political stability and economic stagnation within the Soviet Union.
  • Brezhnev's approach focused on consolidating power and ensuring political stability through rigid control over dissent and a return to conservative policies after Khrushchev’s era. While this created an environment where the party maintained authority without major disruptions, it also led to economic stagnation due to a lack of reforms and innovation. The overemphasis on military expenditure diverted resources away from necessary economic improvements, resulting in systemic inefficiencies that would later contribute to the USSR's challenges.

Related terms

Détente: A period of improved relations between the Soviet Union and the United States during the late 1960s and 1970s, marked by arms control agreements and increased diplomatic communication.

Prague Spring: A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during 1968, which was crushed by a Soviet-led invasion, reflecting Brezhnev's commitment to maintaining Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Brezhnev Doctrine: The policy articulated by Brezhnev that justified Soviet intervention in Eastern Bloc countries to maintain communist rule and prevent the spread of capitalism.