Soviet Union vs. Soviet Union 1964

Attribute	Soviet Union	Soviet Union 1964
Leader	Joseph Stalin (1922-1953), Nikita Khrushchev (1953-1964), Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982)	Nikita Khrushchev (1953-1964)
Political System	Communist state	Communist state
Geographic Size	22,402,200 km²	22,402,200 km²
Population	Approx. 293 million (1989)	Approx. 209 million (1964)
Economic System	Planned economy	Planned economy

Political System

The Soviet Union, established in 1922, was a socialist state led by the Communist Party. It was a one-party state with the Communist Party holding all political power. The leader of the party, known as the General Secretary, was the de facto ruler of the country. The Soviet Union in 1964 was still under the leadership of the Communist Party, with Nikita Khrushchev serving as the General Secretary. However, Khrushchev was later ousted in a coup in the same year, leading to a period of political instability.

Economic System

The Soviet Union had a centrally planned economy, with the government controlling all means of production. This system led to inefficiencies and shortages of goods, as resources were not allocated efficiently. In 1964, the Soviet Union was still operating under this economic system, with a focus on heavy industry and military production. However, there were some attempts at economic reforms under Khrushchev, such as the Virgin Lands Campaign and the decentralization of some economic decision-making.

Social Policies

Under the Soviet Union, there were strict social policies that controlled many aspects of daily life. The government promoted atheism and restricted religious practices, while also promoting education and literacy. In 1964, these social policies were still in place, with a focus on promoting Soviet values and ideology. However, there were some loosening of restrictions under Khrushchev, such as the de-Stalinization campaign and the thawing of cultural restrictions.

Foreign Relations

The Soviet Union was a superpower during the Cold War, with tense relations with the United States and its allies. The country was involved in various proxy wars and conflicts around the world, such as the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1964, the Soviet Union was still engaged in the Cold War, with Khrushchev's leadership marked by confrontations with the West, such as the Berlin Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cultural Developments

During the Soviet Union, there was a strong emphasis on promoting Soviet culture and ideology through literature, art, and media. Socialist realism was the dominant artistic style, with works glorifying the achievements of the Soviet state. In 1964, there were some cultural developments under Khrushchev, such as the Thaw period, which saw a relaxation of censorship and a revival of artistic freedom. However, these developments were short-lived, as Khrushchev's ousting led to a return to more conservative cultural policies.

Technological Advancements

The Soviet Union made significant advancements in technology and science during its existence. The country was the first to launch a satellite, Sputnik, into space in 1957, sparking the space race with the United States. In 1964, the Soviet Union continued to make strides in space exploration, with the launch of the Voskhod spacecraft and the first spacewalk by Alexei Leonov. These technological advancements were a source of national pride and showcased the country's capabilities on the world stage.