Top positions in political administration Internal Troops The Ministry of Internal Affairs was occupied by the son-in-law of Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Churbanov (there was a saying among the people about him: “Do not have a hundred sheep, but marry like Churbanov”).
When Andropov became the head of the KGB, the Committee was not yet the all-powerful organization that it later became. The KGB gained strength against the backdrop of a confrontation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Andropov managed to create a well-functioning network of KGB regional departments, whose staff supervised all organizations and enterprises. Although the KGB did not formally interfere in personnel policy, not a single important appointment could take place without the intervention of the Committee. Although Andropov stopped bribery and corruption in his department in the bud, the KGB officers, thanks to the comprehensiveness of their influence, enjoyed solid privileges. Under Andropov, the salaries and bonuses of the Committee's employees increased.
Scout Mikhail Svetlov wrote: “Andropov introduced the Chekists into all parts of the state machine. Deputy leaders from the "authorities" sat on radio and television, in the Ministry of Culture. In order to prove the importance of his structure, Andropov waged an active fight against "dissidence", and then against "agents of influence" (a term introduced by Andropov in 1972). Andropov succeeded in strengthening the KGB. The proof of this is a large number of former "committees" in the offices of power in big business.
Fight against corruption
Andropov led the fight against corruption even when he was chairman of the KGB. Special investigative teams of the KGB in Azerbaijan SSR and Georgia, inspections were carried out, during which corruption schemes were exposed, hundreds of party functionaries, officials and even several district prosecutors were arrested.
The KGB carried out inspections in the capital's offices, but as long as "dear Leonid Ilyich" was in power, they did not give a move to high-profile cases.
When Andropov became Secretary General, the fight against corruption acquired allied proportions. Andropov launched a real attack on the "trade mafia". One of the first to be arrested was the director of the Eliseevsky store, Yuri Sokolov, who was caught red-handed while receiving another bribe. He was sentenced to highest measure punishment. Further more. Behind a short time in Moscow alone, more than 15,000 trade workers were brought to justice. Among others, the director of the Novoarbatsky grocery store Filippov, the head of the Mosplodoovoshcheprom Uraltsev, and the director of the Kuibyshev district food industry Begalman were arrested.
Andropov also carried out purges among the party leaders. More than 30% of party leaders were replaced in Moscow, 34% in Ukraine, and 32% in Kazakhstan.
The fight against corruption paid off. According to official data, the growth rate of the USSR economy in 1983 was 4.2% (against 3.1% in 1982); national income rose by 3.1; industrial production - by 4; agricultural production - by 6%.
Started a change of elites
The personnel policy of Yuri Andropov was distinguished by decisiveness. Back in the seventies, he created an "inner party" of his adherents in the elite circles of the USSR. At the same time, he brought them into "five", and each five knew only each other - but did not know about others.
Andropov probably inherited this principle from his teacher Otto Kuusinen, who was a member of the Masonic lodge.
We are “thankful” to Andropov for introducing and “promoting” Mikhail Gorbachev to the Politburo. Andropov also contributed to the promotion of Eduard Shevardnadze, Alexander Yakovlev, Nikolai Ryzhkov and Yegor Ligachev, who replaced the Brezhnev cadres.
Opened the Iron Curtain
Despite the reputation of a tough fighter against dissidents, Andropov showed a sincere interest in the life of the intelligentsia and even gained fame as a liberal general secretary in relation to creative people.
Those who knew Andropov personally testify that intellectually he stood out against the general gray background of the Politburo of stagnant years, read literary magazines followed the life of art with interest.
Andropov treated the abstract artists well and even bought their paintings.
On his desk lay the books of Hegel and Descartes. When members of the Politburo asked Andropov why he needed these books, Yuri Vladimirovich answered: "So that there is something to talk about with you."
In a circle of trusted people, Andropov could afford comparatively liberal arguments. Significantly, under Andropov, mass production of licensed records of popular Western performers of those genres (rock, disco, synth-pop) that were previously considered ideologically unacceptable began - this was supposed to undermine economic base speculation in gramophone records and magnetic recordings. So the ideological "iron curtain" was slowly opening up.
Prevented the appearance of missiles in Europe
In questions international politics Andropov adhered to a principled, tough position. In July 1983, Andropov received German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Foreign Minister Hans Genscher in the Kremlin. At the meeting there was a question about the deployment of American "Pershings" in Europe. Andropov was firm: “Let the West have no doubts. The appearance of Pershings in Europe means that we will take retaliatory measures. Andropov showed his decisiveness on September 1, 1983, when a South Korean Boeing 747 was shot down in the sky over Sakhalin while flying over the territory of the USSR.
Andropovka
Not every head of state was honored with the “honor” to remain in history thanks to the popular nickname of one of the most “folk” products. Andropov succeeded.
The vodka, which went on sale on September 1, 1983, was first called "schoolgirl" or "first-grader".
Half liter of economy class last years Brezhnev's reign cost 5.30 and invariably rose in price, new vodka cost 4.70 rubles. Soviet citizens it was appreciated and named "Andropovka". The name of the drink itself at one time was even deciphered as "Here he is, Kind Andropov." Andropovka, which became legendary, did not last long and after two or three years during the Gorbachev era, it quietly faded away, although it remained the Soviet vodka hit of the 1983-1984 season.
What did Karl 10 contribute to history and what did he do in life?
- Charles 10 was the king of France in 1825. was engaged political activity France, issued laws and projects in France. Even before his coronation in Reims on May 29, 1825, Charles X receives two legislative documents, which require attention to characterize the further course of the new king and his entourage. Thus, it turns out that already at the beginning of his reign, Charles X turned his subjects against himself and against the top of power. Immediately at the beginning of the reign, the Jesuits also showed their positions, who tried to restore the majorate system of inheritance, but failed. We now move on to a very important event in the reign of Charles X to the coronation in Reims Cathedral in 1825. Without seeking to give any assessment of the foreign policy of France during the reign of Charles X, we will define the main milestones and directions. In general, in the foreign policy of France in the whole of the entire period of the Restoration, there were two main vectors: southern and eastern. South direction foreign policy characterized by the participation and desire of France to colonize the territories North Africa(Maghrib countries): Algeria and Tunisia. However, we note that during the Restoration, more time was devoted to the Algerian direction, which was only partially implemented. On May 25, 1830, the 37,000-strong French corps, led by the Minister of War, Comte de Bourmont, set off from Toulon for Algiers. As Cherkasov P.P. writes, it took 103 combat and 350 merchant ships led by Admiral Duperre to transport troops. On July 5, 1830, the Emperor's fort was taken and the local rulers agreed to surrender, but the uprising led by Abd al-Qadira, which lasted more than 20 years, did not allow the French to gain a foothold in these territories completely. As a result, just a few days before the July Revolution, Charles X confirmed his intention to keep the French contingent in Algeria on indefinite term 53. That's where it ended south direction foreign policy of Charles X. The revolution of July-August 1830 made it impossible to complete the final annexation of Algeria, but the successors of Charles X will fulfill this task in late XIX century Algeria will become French territory. He is a politician, the head of the party, with these two words one can characterize his life in general and political portrait. It remains only to regret that so little is said about him in Russian historiography.
Many great reforming rulers, generals, scientists, and even philosophers can claim to be the greatest men in human history. But it is difficult to consider the achievements of a person in isolation from the era. The eras of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, as well as scientific revolution The 20th century changed the face of the world, but these breakthroughs in human history were associated with the activities of many prominent people.
Achievements of some talented people did not survive them. Many have reached heights in conjunction with others, and their merits are not shared. Let's try to identify several personalities in world history, whose actions and ideas influenced the further course historical process. The consequences of their actions are being felt even now.
At the origins of European science: Aristotle
Aristotle - rare example a student who surpassed his brilliant mentor. He did not hesitate to criticize the views of the teacher, and his saying dedicated to this went down in history. Plato was an ingenious philosopher, but his views concerned questions of philosophy, ethics and political science. Aristotle went further.
A native of the insignificant city of Stagira came to Athens, where he created his own philosophical school. Many philosophers and even well-known politicians were its pupils, but none of them made a contribution to history comparable to the founder.
Aristotle created the doctrine of the first principles of existence. He entered into world philosophy principle of development, created a system of philosophical categories and levels of existence. Stagirite was the founder of logic as a science. He studied ethics and developed the doctrine of the virtues. In the field of cosmology, he advocated the idea of a spherical earth.
In The State, Aristotle studied the strengths and weak sides different forms government and put forward his own, realistic, idea of the state. His work on the history of Athens state structure- an example of a historical essay.
In addition, a scientist from Athens wrote works on all then available areas of knowledge - biology, zoology, poetics (where he studied theatrical art). The works of Aristotle were studied by the philosophers of the Middle Ages in Europe and the Muslim world. Him with with good reason can be placed at the origins of modern science.
Alexander the Great: Creation of a New World
In world history there have been many commanders whose victories numbered in the tens. Alexander defeated an army in several battles largest empire, took the most fortified cities of that time and reached the Punjab. The empire he created collapsed within a few decades after his death, but new states appeared on its fragments.
The king of Macedonia was obsessed with the idea of uniting the West and the East under his rule. The idea was partially successful. After his campaigns, the Mediterranean became another world. The Greeks had previously served the eastern rulers. But now the heart Greek civilization began to beat in Asia and Egypt. Alexandria Museum became the greatest center intellectual life - philosophers, scientists and poets of the entire Mediterranean lived here. The most important scientific works were collected in the library. Here on Greek language translated Old Testament. Pergamum did not lag behind him, whose library also became a scientific center.
Hellenism caused a revival and changes in the literature, sculpture and architecture of the Hellenes. There are new traditions and ideas associated with oriental influence. Later, the Roman Republic will join this world, whose culture will be formed under the influence of the Hellenistic one.
Alexander didn't have direct relationship to most of the processes. But it was his conquests that created the world in which the emergence of the Alexandria Museum and the Pergamon Library was possible.
Prophet Muhammad: the creation of a new religion
Mohammed and the religion of Islam can be treated differently. For many centuries, Arab tribes roamed the expanses of Arabia. They were vassals or allies mighty empires. The nomads arranged bloody wars among themselves, composed original and complex poems, revered many gods.
In the first half of the 7th century, Muhammad began to preach in Mecca. He managed to overcome the enmity of his fellow tribesmen and gather a group of supporters. With them, he went to Medina, but after a series of battles he defeated the enemies and achieved the unification of the two cities under his authority.
Mohammed's Enemies Adopted Him religious doctrine and became his associates. The doctrine of Islam assumed expansion - after the death of the Prophet, the Arab armies left Arabia. The Arabs, led by the teachings of Mohammed, destroyed the Sasanian Empire and conquered vast territories of the Byzantine Empire. They did not stop there and subjugated the territories of Spain, Central Asia and Mediterranean islands.
Now Islam is practiced by about 1.5 billion inhabitants of the planet. It is the state religion of 28 countries, and communities of followers of the Prophet are located in 122 states. This is evidence of the influence of the Prophet Muhammad on history, whose actions changed the lives of not only his fellow tribesmen, but also many distant peoples.
Charlemagne: at the origins of modern Europe
After the slow decline of the Roman Empire in the west, Europe plunged into darkness Early Middle Ages. The population has declined: some regions have become depopulated. Several epidemics and devastating wars swept across Europe.
Even under these conditions, the heritage of Roman civilization and science was not forgotten. But the epochs of the 5th - 8th centuries stand out as difficult and dark times. In 768 the king Frankish kingdom was Karl, who went down in history under the name of the Great. He was a decisive sovereign who fought a lot with his neighbors and pushed the boundaries of the Frankish kingdom, and in 800 was crowned as emperor.
His empire included part of eastern Spain, Italy to Rome, the territory of modern Germany. Dependent on him were the Avars and numerous Slavic peoples: Moravians, Czechs, encouraged, Serbs.
The emperor became famous not only for victorious wars. He attracted to his court educated people and built schools. The Academy was organized, whose members were smartest people of his era - the monk Alcuin, the historian Paul the Deacon, the biographer Einhard. Alcuin's student was the author of one of the medieval encyclopedias, Raban Maurus.
In schools organized in the empire of Charlemagne, the children of nobles and clerics studied. They studied the seven liberal arts, the canon of which had already been established. "Carolingian minuscule", a way of writing letters that became the basis modern alphabet majority Western countries. At the court of Charles, admiration for Roman literature reigned, and copies of works were made in Latin.
After the death of Charlemagne, the collapse of his empire followed. The division of the empire into three states, formalized in 843, laid the foundations of modern Italy, Germany and France.
The Ideology That Changed History: Karl Marx
One of the greatest (according to many) thinkers 19th century- Karl Marx. He was born in Prussia, but most spent his life in Great Britain and died in London. The ideas and works developed by him determined the course of the history of the next century.
The formation of Marx as a thinker was influenced by the philosophy of Hegel. Marx criticized his predecessor, but, relying on his dialectical method, formed his own concept of dialectical materialism. He introduced his own materialistic understanding of the course of the historical process, which continues to be used in modern science.
Finally, Marx created the work "Capital", in which he considered the contradictions of his contemporary capitalist society. He showed the essence of conflicts between capitalists and workers, as well as within these classes. He substantiated the inevitability of the replacement of capitalism by socialism.
Marx's ideas influenced all left-wing thinkers of the 20th century. Practical application these ideas were made by the builders of the USSR and other socialist states. In the 21st century, socialist states continue to exist, and supporters of this ideology believe in the final victory of socialism. At the basis of this historical process were the ideas of Karl Marx.
The greatest men in the history of mankind are individuals who, alone or with the help of fellow performers, changed the course of history or directed it towards the right direction. This influence was manifested in different ways - the development of science, the creation new religion or ideology, change political map world, which created new conditions for the development of civilization. The result of the activity of these personalities could be fully manifested years and decades after their death.
Have you ever had to take any action that turned the situation in the bud and you felt like you just challenged fate itself and won it? But, despite all the results, your act could be decisive only in some small situation and could in no way affect society and, especially, the whole world. Although, there were those in history who were able to turn its course and make it go according to its own scenario.
Before your eyes is a list of 10 outstanding personalities who, with their actions, were able to change the whole world and history so much so that we still see the consequences of their deeds. This is not a top or even a comparative article, historical figures arranged according to the dates of their lives and deeds.
Euclid, father of mathematics
Numbers, addition, division, tens, fraction - what do these words refer to? That's right, math! It is impossible to imagine the modern world without a lot of calculations, because we, at a minimum, are forced to count the money spent on buying groceries in the store. But there were times when there was not even the concept of “one” in the minds of people. Where did this come from great science called "mathematics"? Euclid is the founder of this science and its founder. It was he who gave the world mathematics in the form in which we see it. "Euclidean geometry" was taken as a basis by ancient, and later by medieval scientists as a model of mathematical calculations.
Attila, King of the Huns
The great king of the Huns left a noticeable mark in history. If not for him, the Western Roman Empire could have collapsed earlier. Attila's invasion of Gaul and his meeting with the Pope left a rich mark on Catholic literature. In medieval writings, Attila began to be called the Scourge of God, and the Huns' invasion itself was regarded as a punishment for insufficient service to God. All this, one way or another, was reflected in the subsequent development of Europe.
Steppe Emperor Genghis Khan.
As soon as the Europeans recovered from the invasions of the Huns, the threat from the nomads again hung over Europe. A huge horde that wipes entire cities off the face of the earth. An enemy that both German mercenaries and Japanese samurai fought at the same time. It's about about the Mongols, led by the rulers of the Genghisid dynasty, and the founder of this dynasty, Genghis Khan.
The Genghisid Empire is the largest continental empire in the history of mankind. European rulers united in the face of the danger of the Mongols, and the conquered peoples created their own unique culture from the influence of the conquerors. One of these peoples were the Russians. They will free themselves from the power of the Horde and form a state, which, in turn, will also change history.
Discoverer Columbus
All in modern world one way or another connected with America. It was in America that the first colonial power, in which lived indigenous people, and the colonists. And about the US contribution to world history you can talk for a very long time. But America did not just appear on the maps. Who opened it to the whole world? The name of Christopher Columbus is associated with the discovery of this land for the whole world.
The genius of Leonardo da Vinci
Mona Lisa is a painting known all over the world. Its author Leonardo Da Vinci, a Renaissance figure, inventor, sculptor, artist, philosopher, biologist and writer, such people were called geniuses in his time. great person with a great legacy.
Da Vinci's influence on art and science is enormous. Being the most prominent figure Renaissance, he introduced huge contribution into the art of future generations. On the basis of his inventions, new ones were invented, some of which serve us now. His discoveries in anatomy changed the concept of biology in the bud, because he was one of the few who, despite the prohibition of the church, dissected and examined corpses.
Reformer Martin Luther
In the 16th century, this name evoked the most contrasting emotions. Martin Luther - the founder of the Reformation - a movement against the authority of the Pope. The formation of a new confession, supported by the masses, is already a big deal, capable of changing the world. And when this denomination is formed from another in a separatist way, then it is not far from the war. Europe was swept by a wave religious wars lasting over a century. The biggest conflict was Thirty Years' War, one of the most bloody wars in history. It should not be forgotten that, despite the end of all wars for religion, religious differences have further divided Europe. Protestantism became state religion in some countries and even is such in a few of them so far.
Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor of France
"Through hardship to the stars". This quote perfectly describes this man. Starting his journey as an ordinary Corsican boy, Napoleon became the emperor of France and stirred up all the European powers that had not seen such people for hundreds of years.
The name of the emperor-commander was known to every European. Such a person could not disappear without a trace from the pages of history. His military successes will become an example for many commanders, and his personality will be equated with God. Guided by his "guiding star", Bonaparte changed the world the way he wanted.
Leader of the Revolution Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Every citizen of Russia has ever heard of the "Great October Revolution" - the event that marked the beginning of the formation of a new power. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin created the very first socialist state in the world, which in the future will a huge impact to world history.
Great October Revolution considered the most significant event all over the world to this day, because it proved that the establishment of a communist state is possible. Soviet Union who replaced Russian Empire, changed the world in a way that many could not even imagine.
Albert Einstein, founder of modern physics
1933: German-Swiss-American mathematical physicist Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) The name of Albert Einstein is known even to those who do not really understand anything in physics. It is understandable: his very name is a household name. Creator famous theory relativity and countless works, Albert Einstein changed the very concept of the word “physics”.
The general theory of relativity caused a stir among scientists, and yet it was not the only work of this scientist. All accustomed scientific theories and opinions were literally pulverized by just one person. modern physics still stands on the claims of Albert Einstein and will probably stand for hundreds more years.
Adolf Gitler
Second World War is the most bloody conflict throughout the history of mankind. Over 70 million people have lost their lives and many more have been broken. Everyone knows the name of the one who started this war. Adolf Hitler is the leader of the NSDAP, the founder of the Third Reich, a man whose name is inextricably linked with the concepts of the Holocaust and the Second World War.
As much as everyone hated Hitler, his influence on world history is recognized and undeniable, because the results of the Second World War are still echoing through our world, sometimes revealing various details. To be more specific and simpler, it was precisely because of Hitler that the UN was formed, started cold war and many inventions were created, which passed from the army into the life of man. But we should not forget about the destruction of entire nationalities just because they simply exist, we should not forget about the 70 million who gave their lives to end this terrible conflict, we should not forget about the tragedy that the whole world had to end.
Kirill Martynov
philosopher:
Castaneda introduced a cautionary tale into history: how a talented hoaxer can take advantage of circumstances—in his case, hippie-era California university culture—to make a fortune.
This phenomenon is somewhat unique: there were probably no other examples in the history of mankind when university professors were so gullible, so enthusiastic and so "open to everything new" that they counted Castaneda's first book "The Teachings of Don Juan" as master's work in anthropology. A few years later, Castaneda managed to defend his dissertation in the same style and become a doctor of philosophy (here he is a bit like A. G. Dugin).
To appreciate how stupid this story is, it is enough to carefully reread the first pages of Don Juan, in which the author describes how he accidentally met an elderly Indian magician on bus stop(and the magician already “smoked it”, that is, he knew that he would meet with Castaneda). This is the level intellectual work in the style of a fairy tale about the old man Hottabych (only for older children), and for its genre it is done well. But if a student with such “anthropology” or “philosophy” came to me, I would politely send him back. Very peculiar, but nothing to do with knowledge. Thus, a brilliant career would have ended, because Castaneda became a millionaire on his books (a unique case, by the way, when a person earns good money on a book published in the academic publication of the University of California Press).
The plot with the "witches" of Castaneda is also very funny - his first and most faithful followers were exalted Californian students. Already in the 70s, works appeared, for example, the famous text by Richard deMille "Castaneda's Journey", which exposed Castaneda not only as a hoaxer, but also as a plagiarist. Packed with the Don Juan brand, Castaneda sold a cocktail of mythology textbooks and quotes from Western philosophy and literature - from Wittgenstein to Lewis Carroll.
Castaneda had a certain influence on the culture of the late 20th century - in Russia, for example, he was actively quoted by Pelevin and Grebenshchikov. This speaks to his popularity as a writer of fiction and, in general, puts Coelho and Richard Bach on a par, rather than scientists or philosophers.
Castaneda also has followers who try to make money on his name, imitate him and compile new texts. The two most famous are Victor Sanchez and Ken Eyrie. Of course, there is no difference between them: the mystical chatter is all the same.
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