The Brezhnev Doctrine
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the impact of the Brezhnev Doctrine.
Key learning points
- 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.
Keywords
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 misconception
All communist states fell under complete Soviet control because of the Brezhnev Doctrine.
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.
Teacher tip
Students start of the lesson by scoring Soviet control over certain communist states (i.e. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, China) circa mid-1968 out of 5. Students then do the same after the lesson for the end of 1968 and explain any changes.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the misisng word. The Pact was an alliance of communist countries duirng the Cold War.
Q2.Whcih of the following countries did not support the Prague Spring?
Q3.How many troops invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968?
Q4.Write the missing country name. At the same time that Czechoslovakia was invaded, the USA was busy fighting a costly war of its own in {}}.
Q5.A meeting between Alexander Dubček and which other leader in August 1968 increased Soviet concerns that Czechoslovakia was about to leave the Warsaw Pact?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A region of the world in which one state is dominant is known as a sphere of .
Q2.What was the name of the policy used to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968?
Q3.What claim did Brezhnev make about the independence of individual communist countries?
Q4.Which country left the Warsaw Pact after the invasion of Czechoslovakia?
Q5.Why did the Brezhnev Doctrine deter pressure for reform in Eastern Europe?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Brezhnev Doctrine, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Brezhnev Doctrine, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.