Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Brezhnev Doctrine, 1968 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How did the Brezhnev Doctrine fit into Brezhnev's Leadership Style? - Summary
Brezhnev introduced his doctrine after the Soviet response to the Prague Spring reforms in Czechoslovakia. A doctrine is a set of beliefs or a philosophy about a certain issue. For Brezhnev, introducing his doctrine in 1968 was important for his rule. Brezhnev had only assumed sole leadership of the Soviet Union in 1966. He desired to enforce his style of rule over the Soviet Union. Brezhnev had a reputation for being authoritarian. He believed that the previous leadership style of Khrushchev had weakened communism. Khrushchev denounced Stalin and hinted at the Soviet Union's openness to reform. Brezhnev did not agree with reforming communism. The Brezhnev Doctrine strengthened the core values of the Soviet Union. It reasserted the Soviet Union's dominance over the satellite states in Eastern Europe. It also enforced the Soviet Union's commitment to the Warsaw Pact. The Brezhnev Doctrine helped to restore the Soviet Union's reputation as a superpower. |
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine and why was it Introduced?
By September 1968, the Soviet Union had faced a number of challenges in its influence in Eastern Europe
In 1955, the Soviet Union introduced the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was a direct competitor to NATO
The Pact tied the Soviet satellite states into providing military support to protect communism
In 1956, the Soviet Union repressed Hungary
Imre Nagy, the leader of Hungary, attempted to remove the country from the Warsaw Pact
Khrushchev reacted by sending 1,000 tanks and killing 20,000 Hungarians
During the 1960s, some communist countries in Eastern Europe fought against Soviet influence
Yugoslavia broke away from the Soviet Union's influence in 1948
Its leader, Tito, considered a closer relationship with the Soviet Union in 1956
The events of the Hungarian Uprising changed Tito's mind. Khrushchev accused Yugoslavia of inspiring the Hungarians to revolt
Romania refused to attend Warsaw Pact meetings
The Prague Spring forced Brezhnev to reassert his power over the satellite states in Eastern Europe
Brezhnev discovered that Czechoslovakia's leader, Dubcek, invited Ceausescu and Tito, the leaders of Romania and Yugoslavia, to Prague for talks
Brezhnev could not allow Czechoslovakia to form an alliance with Romania and Yugoslavia
On 20th August 1968, Brezhnev sent 500,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers to enforce Soviet control in Czechoslovakia
The invasion was successful for the Soviet Union
The Prague Spring had reinforced Brezhnev's beliefs. Satellite states should not attempt to reform communism
The Brezhnev Doctrine listed Brezhnev's expectations for the Warsaw Pact. It stated how the satellite states should behave
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The Superpower Relations exam relies on your understanding of narratives. This section should help you tie various events of the Cold War together. It is important for you to understand how one event caused another event to happen. These events fit into the wider themes of the Cold War, such as tension. You can see how attempts to reform in Hungary and the influence of anti-Soviet communist states impacted the Soviet Union's reaction to Czechoslovakia. The Soviet Union reasserted its power through the Brezhnev Doctrine.
The Aims of the Brezhnev Doctrine
Brezhnev published his doctrine in the communist newspaper, Pravda, on 26th September 1968
The Brezhnev Doctrine aimed to bring the satellite states under more direct Soviet control:
Reactions to the Brezhnev Doctrine
Pro-Soviet leaders in Eastern Europe welcomed the doctrine
Governments like East Germany and Poland faced resistance from protestors within their countries
The Brezhnev Doctrine suppressed protest within these states. The doctrine set extreme consequences for dissent
Some communists pushed further away from the Soviet Union
Yugoslavia and Romania condemned the actions of the Soviet Union
The relationship between these countries and the Soviet Union remained strained throughout the Cold War
The communist parties in France and Italy cut all links to the Soviet Union
Internationally, the Brezhnev Doctrine concerned Western powers
It reinforced the Soviet Union's supremacy in Eastern Europe
The Brezhnev Doctrine tightened the Warsaw Pact
This increased the threat and the power of the Soviet Union
The USA did not want to fight against the Soviet Union
The Brezhnev Doctrine stated the extent of force that Brezhnev would use to keep his influence over Eastern Europe. The power of the Soviet Union scared the USA
The US government became more determined to pursue friendly relations with the Soviet Union. The process is often referred to as détente
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the Brezhnev Doctrine in 1968
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of the Brezhnev Doctrine was the tightening of Soviet control over Eastern Europe. The Brezhnev Doctrine stated that, due to the Warsaw Pact, each communist country had a duty to protect the Soviet Union. If the actions and reforms of one country damaged the reputation of communism, they must act against it. This strengthened the Soviet Union's domination of Eastern Europe as it threatened violent repression against reforming satellite states like Czechoslovakia. The communist governments of Eastern Europe became more likely to tackle the calls for reform in their country than act upon them. This was especially helpful in bringing the reluctant populations of East Germany and Poland under stronger Soviet control.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In this example, you can see the development of wider knowledge of the period. The example has linked the Brezhnev Doctrine to the Warsaw Pact. You cannot explain the significance of the Brezhnev Doctrine without mentioning its impact on the Warsaw Pact. If this is your approach to this style of question, ensure the answer links back to the main event in the question. This answer would not be effective if it only discussed the Warsaw Pact. The example is linked back to the Brezhnev Doctrine by stating how it reasserted the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union's control over Eastern Europe.
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
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