Historical interpretations

What were the three periods of economic reform called

1. Rationalisation (acceleration) 1985-86

2. Reform 1987-90

3. Transformation 1990-91

What was the stage rationalisation

1985-68

led by the communist party and designed to stimulate economic modernisation and higher rates of economic growth

What was the stage reform

1887-90

Market forces and political reform designed to build support for economic change

What was the stage transformation

1990-91

Abandoned fundamental aspects of system such as command economy and single party rule

Why was wastage a long term economic problem

Quantity over quality ➡ wastage

• Gosplan demanded 400,000 tractors 20% went unused due a shortage of tractor drivers

Why was lack of modernisation a long term economic problem

Never fully modernised - dependant on manual labour meaning progression was impossible

• 25% farms in Soviet Union and 5% in West yet still 6x more productive

Why was the arms race a long term economic problem

Missiles, nuclear bombs and tanks meant that 1985 17% GDP spent on defence starving other areas of the economy

Why was centralisation a long term economic problem

Didn’t understand local needs eg : farmers couldn’t adjust delivery schedule leading to errors

What was Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign and what date was this

May 1985 he reduced alcohol production at state run plants by 50%, it was a cautious reform

Did Gorbachev anti alcohol campaign reduce the consumption of alcohol

In 1987 there were 4.5M registered alcoholics, twice what it had been in 1960

What was a weakness of Gorbachev anti alcohol campaign

Government revenue from alcohol sales fell by 67B roubles, alcohol revenue accounted for 9% of GDP this was a massive problem

when was the 12th 5 year plan revealed

25th party congress

What was the 12th 5 year plan

planned investment that would focus on improving Russian science and research

What was the prediction for how much the 12th year plan would increase production

20% industrial production in the next 15 years

What was the result of the 12th year plan

Russian debt spiralled from 18B in 1981 to 27B in 1988 - due to the decline in the global price of oil, which they sold to the West ($70 a barrel in 1981 to $20 in 1985) Soviet revenues dropped by more than 2/3, debt drove upwards because they had to borrow money from the US in order to fund acceleration

Why did Gosplan cause the failure of acceleration

Gosplan advised to focus investment on manufacturing, Gorbachev refused. Gosplan was responsible for enacting policy and overseeing decision making, their resistance caused problems

why did Gorbachev reform the economy following accelaration

He believed Gosplan was in the way of economic recovery so he decided to use methods outside of the state apparatus through introducing market forces into the economy

What happened at the January 1987 meeting of central committee

Yeltsin denounced the slow pace of Gorbachevs economic reforms, Gorbachev and other members of the politburo denounced him, he was demoted and humiliated

Which reforms were introduced in the January 1987 meeting of the central committee

1. The encouragement of joint ventures

2. The law on state enterprises

3. The law on cooperatives

4. Central government attempts to control the free market

encouragement of joint ventures : date, what was it, example, results

January 1987

Allowed foreign firms to establish businesses in the Soviet Union with joint venture with the state, they could also earn a majority of Russian businesses

• Mcdonalds opened in red square in 1990

Results - He hoped this would create jobs, improve technology and stimulate growth but businesses were met with an enormous amount of bureaucracy putting businesses of and limited its effectiveness

Law on state enterprise : date, what was it, results

January 1987

Loosened state control over wages and prices, weakening the authority of Gosplan. Factory managers could be elected regionally rather than being chosen by the centre and factories could choose what they produced once targets had been met

Results - Gosplan ignored the new legislation finding ways to maintain control eg : using its connections in each state of the USSR to continue dominance over planning, businesses charged higher than consumers could afford increasing government debt

Law on cooperatives : date, what was it, results

1988

Gave people the right to set up large scale companies, by 1990 200,000 companies had been established, urban wages rose by 9% whilst the countryside remained poor

Result - introduced corruption (an aspect of unfettered capitalism) businesses could sell to who they liked meaning they tended to complete deals with other states and city authorities, poorer cities were devoid of investment and adequate food

Centralised government attempts to control free market : what was it, results

Perestrokia reforms attempted to eradicate the worst parts of the centralised economy (the fact that it only took the needs of the government into account, not the needs of the people) and mix it with the best parts of the free market economy

Results - they clashed, goods produced by the free market were higher than those produced by the centralised system meaning the government continued subsidising goods which added to their debt, price caps introduced were not economically rational (cost more to produce than to sell)

What was the result of the partial market reforms

undermined central planning whilst failing to create an alternative eg : although soviet farms had produced 218M tons of grain there was no longer an effective distribution system because it had been abolished leading to severe food shortages in 1990

How much did the economy shrink following the economic reforms

between 1986 and 1990 the economy shrunk by 4%

How did Gorbachev attempt to recover following the failed economic reforms and what were the results of this

He cut subsidies allowing prices to rise which would support the new market sectors by giving them a chance to set market prices

Results - prices rose rapidly, KG of butter cost 3.50 in January 1990 and 8.50 in April, 1988 meat was rationed in 26 out of 55 regions in Russia

what were the political consequences of the economic chaos following the reforms

widespread dissatisfaction within the communist government, approval rating dropped from 52% in December 1989 to 21% in November 1990

What was the 500 day programme report

recommended widespread marketisation and privatisation within 2 years, written by the state commission on economic reform

Results : split the politburo into those wanting radical change and those wanting gradual change, Yeltsin's criticisms of Gorbachevs leadership became more vocal

Yeltsin wanted reforms to be introduced right away, Gorbachev hesitated and rejected the reforms

Was the 500 day programme report implemented

due to pressure from hardliners, Gorbachev backed out of the proposal demanding a slower pace this meant an overall plan was never developed

when was private property and trading introduced

January 1991 people could own land and factories, In April a law was passed to allow citizens to trade stocks and shares

what was the result of the introduction of private property and trading

economy continued to decline, oil production fell by 9% while steel and tractor production fell by 12%

How did Gorbachev plan to end stagnation

Replace senior officials who had been close to Brezhnev with young communists who favoured reform

Why did Gorbachev think democratisation and openness would solve the Soviet unions problems

The Soviet Union was highly centralised and data obtained was always inaccurate due to manipulation

• openness would end distortion of economic data

• democratisation would remove traditionalists enabling him to speed up reform

What was Glasnost

1986-88

Initially a commitment to be open about the state of the economy but late became part of the effort to gain support from outside the party

What happened at the 27th party congress

March 1986

The new programme (since 1961) committed the party to ‘genuine democracy, power for the people and by the people’ - symbol that Gorbachev wanted to break the past

Why did Gorbachev liberalise the media

To create an alliance between communists, reformers and intellectuals hoping it would generate criticism and develop new ideas

How did Gorbachev liberalise the media

Following 27th congress Yakovlev was responsible for the media who then appointed radial editors to head the Moscow news

What is an example of the liberalisation of the media

The publication of Repentance, a film made in 1984 which was highly critical of Stalins terror was permitted

How was Glasnost extended

1. Initially only criticised Stalin, Tsypko criticised Marx and Lenin which attacked the foundations of communism

2. 1988 making use of foreign radios and newspapers was permitted

What happened at the 19th party congress

June 1988 - acceleration of openness

Senior party officials admitted the scale of problems facing the USSR eg: health and education (huge constraint from before)

What were the consequences of Glasnost

Destabilised the communist part rule due to the criticisms and questioning of the entire Soviet system

How was democratisation introduced/implemented

19th party congress 1988

Soviet citizens had the right to vote in elections from a choice of independents and communist party candidates

How did democratisation shift power

Stripped the communist party of any power to appoint candidates - shifted power from party to people

Proof that democratisation was only partial

In multi candidate elections 1500 of the congress of people’s deputies were elected but remaining 750 elected by communist party

How was the supreme Soviet elected and what did this mean

By the new congress of people’s deputies - this meant it was partially independent from party leadership weakening the party

What happened at the 1989 election

Yeltsin won 89% of the vote in Moscow

What was the IRDG

newly elected deputies like Yeltsin and Sakharov formed this which embraced radial anti communist agenda (eg: private property)

Why was the creation of the IRDG important

Moved towards democracy because it was an organised opposition group with an official position within the Soviet system

What were the consequences of the election

1. Nationalists who wanted to break up the USSR used the election to campaign for independence

2. Yeltsin emerged as a popular figure and rival posing threat to Soviet Union

What were the republic elections

March 1990

A group called democratic Russia won 85% of the seats in Moscow - rather than strengthening the power of radicals it increased the power of anti part and nationalists groups

Why and when did Gorbachev appoint himself as president of the USSR

March 1990

He wanted to increase his power after democratisation

How did Gorbachev ensure it was him that was elected as president

Risk of Yeltsin getting elected so he made it so the congress of people’s deputies would decide the presidency where he had the majority of support

What were the consequences of Gorbachevs appointment of president

He had emergency powers for 18 months to deal with the economic crisis and growing unrest in the republics but this meant he was criticised for abandoning reform and creating a new form of dictatorship

What is an example of Gorbachevs criticism for presidency

Shevardnadze who was a key supporter of Gorbachev resigned from government in December 1990 claiming he had abandoned democracy

What is Soviet nationalism

Government attempted to inspire loyalty by encouraging those to put their loyalty for the Union above l

Why was Soviet nationalism unpopular

It was based of Russian values and traditions, non Russians would be expected to renounce their national identity

How was nationalism controlled using economic benefits

From 1953 economic planners targetted investment at the poorer regions (non Russian republics) which led to a higher standard of living

What does the term ‘affirmative action empire’ mean

Under Brezhnev the targeted investments in non Russian republics meant people could get a good job and improve living standards for themself (this was threatened by the decline in economic growth post 1980)

How was nationalism tolerated under Brezhnev

Post 1964

Each republic had the right 59 introduce native education and allowed local elites to consolidate their hold over the communist parties in non Russian republics

How did Gorbachev change leadership in non Russian republics

Believed in a effective government rather than a representative one ➡ replaced local leaders with Russians

What was the consequences of Gorbachev’s change in the leadership in non Russian republics + example

Created resentment

• Kazakhstan 1986 major riots when local leader Kunaev was replaced

What was the result of acceleration on nationalism

Economic decline was associated with replacement of non Russian leaders as it happened at the same time so led to growing nationalism

What was the impact of Glasnost on nationalism

Undermined the perception that the Soviet Union had benefited people in the republics

1. Exposed Stalins terror

2. Showed difference in living standards from West

Overall it allowed nationalist groups to demand greater autonomy

What was the Brezhnev doctrine

The right to intervene in the affairs of other socialist countries - renounced by Gorbachev in August 1989

What was the Sinatra doctrine

Allowed greater freedoms across Eastern European countries

What was the result of the Sinatra doctrine

October-November 1989 communism fell across Eastern Europe

1. Poland and Hungary - new leaders won democratic elections

2. Fall of Berlin Wall (symbolised fall of Soviet control over Eastern Europe)

What were the consequences of revolutions caused by the Sinatra doctrine

Nationalists in not Russian republics saw these countries gaining independence and hoped they could o the same

How did democratisation aid the growth of nationalist

Gave nationalists a chance to fight and win elections, winning several majorities in 1990

What was the first major nationalist challenge to the Soviet Union since 1921

March 1990

Newly elected parliament of Lithuania declared independence, Gorbachev claimed this was illegal and imposed economic sanctions (these were lifted in the summer)

What did Yeltsin do in May 1990 regarding laws and what was the consequence

Declared that in May 1990 laws created by the Russian parliament were legally more superior to Soviet laws - this gave Russia independence from the Soviet Union

What nationalist protest took place in Karabagh and what year was this

1988

1. Armenian nationalists wanted to unite with Armenia, organised protests in favour of redrawing the republics boundaries

2. Azerbaijani nationalists organised a counter campaign

3. Led to violent riots

4. Gorbachev introduced direct rule of Karabagh

5. Mass massacres and emigration of Armenians

6. Both sides denounced Soviet Union

7. Communist party lost full control of the republic by late 1989

What was the Tbilisi massacre

1989

1. Georgian nationalists protested against the rights of the Abkhazian minority

2. Soviet troops attempted to restore peace by force 19 killed

What was the 2 consequences of the Tbilisi massacre

rather than taking responsibility for the killings, the government blamed military commanders. They then became unwilling to use force against protesters leading to the ‘Tbilisi syndrome’

What was the Tbilisi syndrome

No longer able to rely on military and weakening of governments positions

what was the cause of Russian nationalism

Russians were concerned about the impact of communism on the environment

• Glasnost led to the government publishing data showing that Russia was very polluted due to agriculture and industry than previously admited

What was the green movement in Armenia

1987 environmentalists organised mass demonstrations against the soviet governments policies - very large and powerful

What did the state committee for environmental protection publish

A report in 1989 which acknowledged serious levels of pollution in 16% of the land

How did Estonia demonstrate nationalism

didn’t leave the union but government claimed the right to revive the old flag and begin educating citizens about the Estonian language

How did the government respond to failed economic sanctions in Lithuania

January 1991 soviet gov sent in troops and killed 14 people, led to outrage and protests from Ukrainian miners

What was gorbachevs response to growing nationalism

propose a reformed republic giving them greater independence, new union treaty proposed in 1990 was hampered by his declining power

How did Gorbachev use an election to gain support in republics

March 1991 proposed a refuredeumn for all the people in the Soviet Union hoping to win popular support, 76% backed a reformed union and six of the republics refused to participate

What happened in June 1991

Yeltsin won 57% of votes in Russia, communist candidate only received 16%

This weakened Gorbachev’s position - Russians made up 60% of the population. Gorbachev had never won a popular election and lacked a democratic basis for his position

Why did the coup take place

hardliners did not support this new union treaty - they argued it gave the republics too much power

how did the coup take place

whilst Gorbachev was on holiday, hardline opponents overthrew him. 18th August Gorbachev was announced as resigned from power due to poor health

Why was the coup stopped

Yeltsin headed resistance by calling a strike, army units were sent to the White House to arrest him but soldiers refused to obey orders and Yeltsin demanded Gorbachev’s return to power

How did the coup destroy Gorbachevs authority

Following the coup he argued he still had faith in renewing the party however the public had lost faith in him due to Glasnost

• this shows how was out of touch with majority opinion

How did the coup lead to the end of the communist party

23rd August Yeltsin suspended the party in Russia due to very little support

Why did the coup lead to the end of the Soviet Union

fears of another dictatorship from the emergency committee led to the republics declaring independence by the end of August, treaty of sovereign states was destroyed

How did the coup lead to the creation of the CIS

December Yeltsin and the leader of Ukraine signed the Minsk agreement stating the Soviet Union had been replaced by the CIS