Problems facing the USSR, 1980-85

What problems did the Brezhnev era leave behind?

The Soviet economy had stagnated (money towards the military) and was engulfed by corruption. Detente was pressured by Angola and the Ogaden war and then terminated by intervention in Afghanistan.

What divisions were there in the Party?

Some wanted radical solutions/reform, 'new thinking', whereas others wished to hang onto established ways of doing things.

What became clear by the 1980s?

The continuance of the Cold War was becoming an almost intolerable expense for the USSR.

What are some examples of the slowdown in economic growth?

In the 1960s, it was 4.9% per annum but in 1981-85 this reduced to 1.9% per annum.

How much was the USSR spending on the military in 1980 to 1983?

It was 20% of its GDP per annum.

How much did the USSR spend in subsidies to its Eastern European allies?

1980-85 - $17 billion a year.

When was Yuri Andropov the General Secretary of the CPSU?

November 1982-February 1984.

Information on Andropov

He was head of the KGB, a hard-liner who though that a popular communist movement was needed. He thought of his job as 'holding the line.'

What did Andropov do during his time as premier?

He spoke of the need for improvements, removed older personnel, introduced changes to improve short-term economic performance by rooting out corruption.

What did Andropov do that is signficant for the Gorbachev era?

He was responsible for recalling Aleksander Yakovlev who became chief of ideology under Gorbachev, and the architect of galsnost and perestroika.

What were the pressures that Andropov faced regarding the US?

Reagan's 'tough line' against communism, SDI, criticism of KAL 007, and Operation Able Archer.

What was happening in Poland from the mid-1970s?

A crumbling economy lead to the growth of an underground workers' movement.

What did Pope John Paul II do when he visited Poland?

(June 1979) He called on the Polish people to reclaim their destiny and stick together in solidarity.

When and how was Solidarity formed?

1980 - mass strikes to demand the right to join free trade unions and the legal right to strike.

1981 - 10 million members

Solidarity began to demand free elections and referendum on Poland's alliance with the USSR - the government decided to negotiate with the strikers, but Solidarity began to challenge the communist system.

Jaruzleski

From February 1981, he sought to curb the unrest. Autumn - secret plans for a military takeover began.

What was the impact of USSR pressure?

12th-13th December 1981 - tanks moved into the cities, road blocks set up.

Pressure to crush Solidarity - martial law was imposed as a way to avoid invasion by Warsaw Pact forces.

- Leaders were arrested.

What was the impact of the crushing of Solidarity on the movement itself and East-West relations?

It marginalised the movement, remained on the sidelines until late 1980s.

Civil rights were suspended which went against the Helsinki Accords.

When did the US deploy Cruise and Pershing II missiles (and where)?

November 1983 in the UK and West Germany - actioned under Reagan but ordered by Carter.

When was Operation Able Archer?

November 1983

What was it?

A military exercise carried out by NATO - to simulate a period of conflict escalation, a simulated DEFCON 1 coordinated attack. It lasted for 5 days.

What did it lead to?

Some members of the Politburo and military thought that NATO was preparing for a nuclear strike. So, the Soviets readied their nuclear forces.

What was KAL 007?

1st September 1983 - South Korean airliner drifted from its planned route into Soviet airspace (navigational mistake). The Soviet airforce thought it was an intruding spy plane and destroyed it, killing the 269 people aboard.

What was the impact of this?

It was a blow to US-USSR relations. The Soviets initially denied any knowledge of this but later admitted to it. It also led to a shift as Andropov stated that he was no longer willing to do business with the Reagan administration.

When was Konstantin Chernenko the General Secretary of the CPSU?

February 1984-March 1985.

Information on Chernenko

He approved of the 1984 LA Olympics boycott, he was also a traditionalist communist.

What are some examples of Chernenko's weak leadership?

Erich Honecker was prevented from visiting the FRG in 1984 due to pressure from the Soviet Union

- Moscow wished to enforce a hardline, anti-NATO stance.

What did Chernenko do regarding the Soviet people?

Stepped up KGB pressure on dissidents and tried to restore ideological conformity.

The period 1982-85 - gerontocracy and lack of change

There was little progress in addressing the deep-seated problems in the Soviet system and Reagan was unable to meet them as they kept dying - both Andropov and Chernenko recognised that change was required but kept the essential features in place.

The quick succession of deaths of Soviet leaders as a metaphor for the decaying system - lack of change.