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Year 11 - History

The Brezhnev Doctrine

Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a wider depth study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the international relations in this Cold War period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the impact of the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Key Notes

  • The Brezhnev Doctrine justified the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine claimed reforms in one communist country affected all communist countries.
  • The Brezhnev Doctrine helped the USSR maintain its control over Eastern Europe.
  • Some communist states became less trusting of the USSR.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • doctrine: a statement of government policy
  • anti-socialist: actions which are considered hostile towards or inconsistent with communist beliefs
  • sphere of influence: a region of the world in which one state is dominant
  • deterred: to make someone less likely to do something, or to make something less likely to happen

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All communist states fell under complete Soviet control because of the Brezhnev Doctrine.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The Brezhnev Doctrine justified the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The Brezhnev Doctrine claimed reforms in one communist country affected all communist countries.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'doctrine'

a statement of government policy.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: All communist states fell under complete Soviet control because of the Brezhnev Doctrine. Correction: Some states such as China, Yugoslavia, Romania and Albania became less trusting of the USSR and made increased efforts to develop their own independent relations to protect themselves against it.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.