Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev Biography and Timeline — Page 4

Constitutional Commission Leadership

Chairs the commission responsible for preparing the new Soviet constitution.

Role range: 1977-1982

Soviet Constitution

A new Soviet constitution is adopted during Brezhnev's leadership, describing the USSR as a developed socialist society.

Role range: 1917-1991

Support for Ethiopia

Expands Soviet political and military backing for Ethiopia during the conflict with Somalia.

Role range: 1966-1982

Order of Victory Award

Receives the Soviet Order of Victory, an award normally associated with senior Second World War commanders.

Role range: 1977-1982

Bonn Arms Control Discussions

Discusses SALT, European troop reductions and bilateral relations with Helmut Schmidt.

Role range: 1977-1982

Bonn Visit with Helmut Schmidt

Makes a four-day official visit to West Germany for talks with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.

Role range: 1977-1982

Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Treaty

Hosts the signing of the Soviet-Vietnamese Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and emphasizes its strategic importance.

Role range: 1977-1982

Third Hero of Soviet Union Award

Receives his third Hero of the Soviet Union title.

Role range: 1977-1982

Jewish Emigration Reaches Record Level

Soviet Jewish emigration rises sharply during the later Brezhnev period.

Role range: 1917-1991

Vienna Summit Arrival

Arrives in Vienna for summit negotiations with United States President Jimmy Carter.

Role range: 1977-1982

SALT II Treaty Signing

Signs the SALT II Treaty with Jimmy Carter, setting limits on strategic nuclear delivery systems.

Role range: 1977-1982

Vienna Strategic Arms Statement

Issues a joint summit statement with Jimmy Carter supporting continued strategic arms negotiations.

Role range: 1977-1982

Carter-Brezhnev Summit Talks

Meets Jimmy Carter for strategic arms and broader superpower discussions.

Role range: 1977-1982

Politburo Afghanistan Intervention Decision

Joins the Politburo decision approving Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan.

Role range: 1979-1989 – 1966-1982

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Soviet forces enter Afghanistan in a major military intervention intended to preserve a pro-Soviet government.

Role range: 1979-1989 – 1977-1982

Babrak Karmal Installed

The Soviet intervention replaces Hafizullah Amin with Babrak Karmal as Afghanistan's leader.

Role range: 1979-1989 – 1966-1982

Kabul Communications Hub Disabled

Soviet special forces disable Kabul's communications hub during the operation against Hafizullah Amin.

Role range: 1966-1982

Soviet Seizure of Kabul Institutions

Soviet special forces seize key government, military and communications sites in Kabul.

Role range: 1966-1982

Tajbeg Palace Assault

Soviet special forces storm Tajbeg Palace and Afghan leader Hafizullah Amin is killed.

Role range: 1966-1982

Soviet Announcement after Amin's Removal

Soviet-controlled Radio Kabul announces the removal of Hafizullah Amin's government.

Role range: 1966-1982

Moscow Olympics Opening

Formally opens the Moscow Summer Olympic Games amid a major Western boycott.

Role range: 1977-1982

Assad Moscow Talks

Discusses Middle Eastern security and Soviet-Syrian cooperation with Hafez al-Assad.

Role range: 1977-1982

Soviet-Syrian Friendship Treaty

Signs a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.

Role range: 1977-1982

Polish Solidarity Crisis

Coordinates Soviet-bloc pressure on Poland as the Solidarity movement challenges Communist Party authority.

Role range: 1966-1982

Indira Gandhi Talks

Discusses Afghanistan, regional security and Soviet-Indian relations with Indira Gandhi.

Role range: 1977-1982

New Delhi State Visit

Visits India and is received by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy.

Role range: 1977-1982

UN Condemnation of Afghanistan Intervention

The United Nations General Assembly condemns the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and calls for withdrawal.

Role range: 1966-1982

Panjshir Valley Operations

Soviet forces conduct operations against Mujahidin positions in the Panjshir Valley.

Role range: 1977-1982

Twenty-Sixth CPSU Congress Opens

Opens his final Communist Party Congress with a lengthy report on domestic and international policy.

Role range: 1966-1982

New Arms Control Proposal

Uses the Twenty-Sixth Party Congress to call for another round of arms-control negotiations.

Role range: 1966-1982

Twenty-Sixth Congress Leadership Confirmation

The Communist Party leadership is reconfirmed after the Twenty-Sixth Congress.

Role range: 1966-1982

Bonn Missile and Arms Talks

Discusses nuclear missiles, European security and arms negotiations with Helmut Schmidt.

Role range: 1977-1982

Bonn Visit with Schmidt

Travels to West Germany for discussions with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt during renewed East-West tensions.

Role range: 1977-1982

Support for Polish Martial Law

Supports the Polish Communist government's suppression of Solidarity after martial law is imposed.

Role range: 1966-1982

Fourth Hero of Soviet Union Award

Receives a fourth Hero of the Soviet Union title late in his political career.

Role range: 1966-1982

Nuclear No-First-Use Pledge

Announces through a message to the United Nations that the Soviet Union will not be the first to use nuclear weapons.

Role range: 1977-1982

Final Revolution Day Appearance

Makes one of his final public appearances during the Revolution Day ceremonies shortly before his death.

Role range: 1966-1982

Death of Leonid Brezhnev

Dies near Moscow at age seventy-five after eighteen years as Soviet Communist Party leader.

Role range: 1917-1991 – 1977-1982

State Funeral of Leonid Brezhnev

Receives a state funeral in Moscow attended by Soviet officials and foreign leaders.

Afghanistan Withdrawal Contacts

Informal diplomatic contacts explore possible terms for a future Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Role range: 1977-1982