Brezhnev’s era, 1968-1982

The rise of Brezhnev and Kosygin

Leadership of Brezhnev

Brezhnev’s public image was one of dullness.

Soviet dissident, Roy Medvedev, dismissed Brezhnev as vain and stupid.

Brezhnev did not impose his personality on his leadership that Stalin and Khrushchev did.

Leonid Brezhnev – vain?

Brezhnev was said to be self-conscious of his humble beginnings.

He was decorated with more medals than Stalin and Khrushchev combined. He even ended up with more military medals than Marshall Zhukov. These included: 4 Orders of Lenin A Victory Medal Lenin Peace prize Hero of the Soviet Union

In 1976 he was proclaimed, “universally acclaimed leader”.

Leonid Brezhnev – Interesting? He used to arm wrestle his colleagues

and beat President Nixon in ‘71. When doctors advised him to give up

smoking, Brezhnev ordered his chauffeur to lock his limosine and smoke furiously so he could enjoy the fumes.

Brezhnev’s daughter, Galina, became notoriously corrupt.

His later years saw him refusing to acknowledge the growing problems that plagued Soviet’s economy and society.

Brezhnev also caused concern with his foreign policy, such as the invasion of Czechoslovakia in ’68 (similar to Khrushchev’s invasion of Hungary in ’56)

Task

Stick in the picture of Brezhnev. Take notes of “Brezhnev’s early career”

p.81-82 and “The consolidation of power” p.84-85.

Task

Stick in the picture of Alexei Kosygin. Create a profile of his life using the

information on p.85.

Task

Copy the “Key chronology” timeline from p.86.

‘Khrushchev fell from power because he failed to convince the Party of the need to carry out fundamental reform in the USSR.’ How far do you agree with this judgement?