To what extent did Brezhnev achieve his foreign policy aims?
Brezhnev in power 1964-82
AIM CLAIM COUNTERCLAIM
Eastern To a large extent, Brezhnev successfully maintained control over 1968: Czech Uprising
Europe: Eastern Europe - Early 1969: unable to successfully implement a Soviet-backed
maintain government
control 1968: Czech Uprising → Brezhnev Doctrine - BUT by April 1969, had been able to dispose of Dubcek and
- USSR led Warsaw Pact countries to invade Czechoslovakia install a more conservative govt, with Czechoslovakia
to impede reforms in Prague → quite successful eventually becoming an active Warsaw Pact member again
- Reforms intended to give Czech citizens more rights,
increase democratization and begin decentralizing the 1970s: Ostpolitik/relations with West Germany
economy - 1969: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with the USSR
- Le to creationBrezhnev Doctrine → affirmed USSR’s right to - 1970: treaty with the USSR
intervene in affairs of satelite states to strengthen communism - Rules out any use of force + recognized each others’
existing territories and borders
1981: martial law established in Poland - Followed by trade agreements with the USSR
- USSR encouraged Poland to issue martial law as there were - Paved the way for treaties with West Germany’s
threats from trade union Solidarity to dispose of improved relations with Poland and even East
socialism/communism Germany (e.g. recognizing each others’ borders,
established normal political and trade relations)
- In turn allowed for more relaxed relations between Eastern
Europe and the West, suggesting that Brezhnev had in fact
loosened Soviet control over the region
-
BUT perhaps primary intention was to ease tensions with US/West
which in turn would require loosening some grip over Eastern Europe
1981: martial law in Poland
Brezhnev in power 1964-82
AIM CLAIM COUNTERCLAIM
Eastern To a large extent, Brezhnev successfully maintained control over 1968: Czech Uprising
Europe: Eastern Europe - Early 1969: unable to successfully implement a Soviet-backed
maintain government
control 1968: Czech Uprising → Brezhnev Doctrine - BUT by April 1969, had been able to dispose of Dubcek and
- USSR led Warsaw Pact countries to invade Czechoslovakia install a more conservative govt, with Czechoslovakia
to impede reforms in Prague → quite successful eventually becoming an active Warsaw Pact member again
- Reforms intended to give Czech citizens more rights,
increase democratization and begin decentralizing the 1970s: Ostpolitik/relations with West Germany
economy - 1969: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with the USSR
- Le to creationBrezhnev Doctrine → affirmed USSR’s right to - 1970: treaty with the USSR
intervene in affairs of satelite states to strengthen communism - Rules out any use of force + recognized each others’
existing territories and borders
1981: martial law established in Poland - Followed by trade agreements with the USSR
- USSR encouraged Poland to issue martial law as there were - Paved the way for treaties with West Germany’s
threats from trade union Solidarity to dispose of improved relations with Poland and even East
socialism/communism Germany (e.g. recognizing each others’ borders,
established normal political and trade relations)
- In turn allowed for more relaxed relations between Eastern
Europe and the West, suggesting that Brezhnev had in fact
loosened Soviet control over the region
-
BUT perhaps primary intention was to ease tensions with US/West
which in turn would require loosening some grip over Eastern Europe
1981: martial law in Poland
