Brezhnev era 1964-84 - Normalisation, Dissidence, Economic Stagnation

Why did Brezhnev adopt a policy of stagnation?

His ideology was to make things stay the same, labelling it ‘mature socialism’ - his doctrine that a socialist society had been successfully created and so it just needed to consolidate its gains.

What was Stagnation?

A period during the later years of the USSR which was marked by economic slowdown, political corruption, and a lack of innovation.

Using statistics, how did economic growth in the East bloc change under Brezhnev?

The rate of economic growth declined from 1966 onwards, dipping severely from 1976-80 and then between 1981 and 1985.

• Poland - In 1971-75 - Economic growth was at 9.8 and declined dramatically to 1.2 in 1976-80, then to -0.8 by 1985 (economic decline)

• USSR - Economic growth at 7.8 by 1970, declined to 3.2 by 1985

How did debt in the Eastern bloc change under Brezhnev?

In most Eastern bloc countries, debt more than doubled from 1975 to 1980. For example. In East Germany, debt rose from $5,188 to $13,896; Poland - debt tripled from $8000 to $24,000 1975 to 1980.

What were the main signs of stagnation and decline within Eastern Bloc countries during the Brezhnev era?

• Kolkhoz workers lived in squalid poverty, with only tiny garden plots to feed themselves

• Many lived in houses without running water or electricity

• The countryside became a ghetto of the old, the infirm and the alchoholic who worked badly — villages abandoned or left to rot, left with only a few elderly in habitants in areas where a hundred families once lived

• Alcholic consumption doubled during the Brezhnev years and by the early 1980s, the average kolkhoz family spent 1/3 of its income on vodka — alcoholism was the national disease

• Male life expectancy declined from 66 in 1964 to 62 in 1989

How was the communist system being subtly eroded in the USSR during the Brezhnev era?

The official ideology became less relevant to people’s every day concerns and as corruption within the communist party, its moral authority was undermined. Thousands of entrepreneurs learnt how to by-pass the centrally regulated ‘socialist’ sector of the economy. It became apparant to Soviet citizens the regime’s heavy cost on consumers and environment.
Marxism-Leninism became almost completely detatched from the specific beliefs, values and interests of the Soviet elite and the professional middle class - there was a cynicism that replaced idealism of earlier decades. Genuine Marxists became a dying breed under Brezhnev.

What was Normalisation, after the Prague Spring?

The period after the Prague Spring when Soviet control was reasserted in Czechoslovakia, reversing liberal reforms and restoring strict communist rule.

What was involved with Normalisation? How was greater Soviet control imposed? What was its significance for communism?

There was constant surveillance from the USSR as well as tanks and armed Russian guards pointing guns at people in the streets and Russian helicopters constantly hovered above — it marked an end to the hopes of communism reforming itself (‘Communism with a human face’) — Around 100 died and 400 were seriously injured during the invasion. Those who had supported Dubcek were silenced and forced to take menial jobs — the Iron Curtain being reinforced more so than ever before.

How was dissidence expressed after Palach’s self-immolation? How was it suppressed?

11,000 gathered for Palach’s funeral (set himself on fire in a political protests of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact Allies) - those who filmed the events at the funeral were banned from being cameramen or any other jobs and in the months following the funeral, ½ million people lost their jobs and the Communist Party purged its ranks of another ½ million members, while others resigned.

How did Victor Kolar capture the atmosphere during Normalisation in Czechoslovakia?

He was a photographer and his photos distinctly changed after 1968 - captured the hopelessness, fear and blank looks in people’s eyes during Normalisation.

How was dissidence expressed through Art and films?

Art and films were made making fun of the Soviets — comedies and satires made that exposed the gap between the socialist rhetoric and the reality.

Why was the rock band Plastic People of the Universe arrested? How did this inspire further dissidence?

They were arrested in 1976 for ‘organised disturbance of the peace.’ In reality, they were arrested not because they went against the regime, but because they behaved how they wanted to, which Normalisation desperately tried to repress. Vaclav Havel became interested in their arrest and collected signatures for a petition, which became something more permanent - the birth of Charter 77 in 1977.

What was Charter 77?

A charter demanding human rights in Czechoslovakia was published by artists, writers, intellectuals and it founded the dissident movement.