Everyone who studied history in school or was simply born in the 60s. of the last century, knows that some historians call the Brezhnev era in a special way. They believe that it was "stagnation" - a period that is characterized by the conservation of the old communist regime. However, some historians disagree with this term.
Let's consider the polar points of view on this issue in more detail.
Period time frame
It is generally accepted that this stage in the development of the Soviet state began with the coming to power of a new general secretary. His name was Brezhnev Leonid Ilyich. He appeared in this position unexpectedly, due to the voluntary-compulsory retirement of the “reformer” N. S. Khrushchev in the early 1960s. last century.
Brezhnev's reign lasted 18 years. In general, this was an attempt to preserve the achievements of the USSR, which the country achieved under Stalin.
Characteristic of the era
Unlike the formidable Stalin, Leonid Ilyich was distinguished by his gentle nature and lack of desire for unusual soci altransformations. During his reign, the purges of the party apparatus stopped, which allowed officials to work in their positions without fear of being fired. Ordinary Soviet citizens were much less afraid of the authorities, often discussed the problems of socialist society in family conversations in their kitchens, and waited for changes.
Underground market trade began to develop due to the lack of food and consumer goods, which contributed to the emergence of black schemes for the resale of goods.
In general, stagnation is a special period in the history of the USSR. On the one hand, this era was socially stable and calm. On the other hand, Soviet people, closed by the Iron Curtain, increasingly thought that the capitalist world also had its advantages, and dreamed of going abroad. A special myth was created that a Western person as a whole lives much better and more comfortably than a citizen of the USSR.
Positive features of this period
The period of stagnation in the USSR was characterized by many features that were unique to this time:
1. Stable development of culture, art, education, science, mass construction.
It was during the Brezhnev era that many people were able to get long-awaited separate apartments. Active construction of new microdistricts was carried out, at the same time kindergartens, clinics, schools, palaces of children's creativity were put into operation.
The education system developed, universities were opened. Everyonea young man who came from the outback and had a minimum amount of money could enter a prestigious university if he had the ability and knowledge to do so. Also, medical care was available to the general population.
Education and medicine were really free.
2. Social security
The state provided social guarantees to its citizens. So, everyone could get a job to provide for themselves and their families. Strict media censorship allowed the flow of information to be controlled, so it was generally positive. The military power of the USSR made it possible to keep the opponents of our state in check and not wait for an attack from outside.
By and large, the Brezhnev stagnation was the most peaceful period in the history of the USSR.
Negative features of this period
Among the negative features are the following:
- Life during the period of stagnation was complicated by the fact that ordinary citizens did not have enough consumer goods - clothing and household items, as well as some foodstuffs were in short supply. This happened in the field of food due to the fact that many rural residents left for the cities, not wanting to work on collective farms. Since the repressive system of the USSR significantly reduced its pressure, the authorities could not prevent such a resettlement.
- The military industry and military technologies were actively developing, but those areas that led to the emergence of technical innovations in the West: video recorders, players andother goods. This circumstance aroused an increased interest in the products of the capitalist world on the part of the Soviet people.
- The party elite, not updated by new people, has grown old. In fact, it became a closed clan, where ordinary capable managers could not get, everything was decided by connections: they gave both a high social status and the receipt of special benefits and rights in Soviet society.
- The ideas of socialism and communism gradually fell into decay, most citizens lost faith in these ideals and waited for the renewal of the ideological component of life.
Who first called this period "stagnant"?
For the first time the Brezhnev period was called "stagnation" by the young and promising general secretary M. Gorbachev, speaking to the audience in 1986. Many then were in solidarity with the opinion of the Secretary General. The country was waiting for changes, people hoped that after the era of the “dying elders” (Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko) a new life would come.
Unfortunately, these hopes did not come true: the country was waiting for a period of perestroika (which the shrewd philosopher Zinoviev called "catastrophe"), the collapse of the USSR, social upheavals and a difficult era of general collapse in the 90s.
Brezhnev stagnation - the period of the beginning of the destruction of the USSR?
Today, historians very differently assess this stage of development of our country. Scientists of the liberal camp say that the USSR began to collapse precisely at this time, and Gorbachev only completed the processirreversible collapse of the country.
In general, these historians do not particularly favor the former Soviet Union itself, believing that its destruction only benefited all mankind.
Other scientists take the opposite position. In particular, they believe that stagnation is a difficult period in the development of the country, but still positive. In fact, it was a failed attempt to create "socialism with a human face", without Stalin's repressive system.
Therefore, today some of our fellow citizens of the older generation evaluate the period of stagnation in the USSR positively. They say that at that time they felt support from the state, they knew that they could not just be fired from their jobs, they could count on receiving high-quality and free medical care and good and also free education.
