Brezhnev Doctrine

Definition

The Brezhnev Doctrine was a Soviet foreign policy principle articulated in 1968, asserting the right of the Soviet Union to intervene in the affairs of socialist countries to maintain their communist regimes. This doctrine emerged as a response to the Prague Spring and aimed to solidify Soviet control over Eastern Europe, reinforcing the division between the Eastern Bloc and the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Brezhnev Doctrine was declared by Leonid Brezhnev during a speech at a Soviet Communist Party meeting in November 1968.
2. This doctrine justified the invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, effectively crushing the Prague Spring reforms led by Alexander Dubček.
3. The Brezhnev Doctrine marked a shift from previous policies that focused on coexistence, emphasizing that any threat to socialism was a threat to the Soviet Union itself.
4. The doctrine contributed to tensions between Eastern European countries and the Soviet Union, as it limited their autonomy and suppressed nationalist movements.
5. It remained a guiding principle of Soviet foreign policy until the late 1980s, ultimately being challenged by Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of glasnost and perestroika.

Review Questions

• How did the Brezhnev Doctrine influence Soviet intervention in Eastern Europe during the Cold War?
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine established a precedent for Soviet intervention in Eastern Europe whenever there was a perceived threat to socialism. This was clearly demonstrated during the Prague Spring when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia to suppress reforms that challenged communist rule. The doctrine allowed Moscow to justify its actions in maintaining control over satellite states, effectively curtailing political freedoms and suppressing dissent within those nations.
• Evaluate how the Brezhnev Doctrine contrasted with earlier Soviet policies regarding Eastern Europe and its impact on relations with Western powers.
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine represented a significant shift from earlier policies of peaceful coexistence and limited intervention. Unlike previous leaders who sought to allow some degree of independence among socialist states, Brezhnev's stance emphasized strict adherence to communist orthodoxy and active suppression of dissent. This hardline approach heightened tensions with Western powers, leading to increased military readiness on both sides and deepening the ideological divide of the Cold War era.
• Assess the long-term effects of the Brezhnev Doctrine on Eastern European nations and how it shaped their post-Cold War trajectories.
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine had profound long-term effects on Eastern European nations, as it suppressed nationalist movements and imposed strict control over governance. After the Cold War, many of these countries struggled with their identities and political systems due to decades of repression under this doctrine. The legacy of forced Soviet influence played a crucial role in shaping their transitions to democracy and market economies, as nations sought to distance themselves from past authoritarian practices while grappling with lingering economic and political challenges.

Related terms

Prague Spring:

A period of political liberalization and reform in Czechoslovakia during 1968, which ended with a Soviet-led invasion to suppress the movement.

Warsaw Pact:

A military alliance established in 1955 between the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states, serving as a counterbalance to NATO.

Containment:

A U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of communism beyond its existing borders, which influenced the global geopolitical landscape during the Cold War.