Liberal USSR TL

Fair point, but even then the establishment loved Nixon.

And, to answer the other part of your previous post:

Johnson died in 73' so he could run if he really wanted to, it would just be ill advised.

Well maybe Johnson could die earlier due to the stress of office on old man, then he could've easily died in 71 or 72. But why Nixon anyway? Why not get off the beaten trail, Humphrey maybe wins in 72? Maybe he wins because Republicans nominate Reagan? Or maybe Mark Hatfield can emerge as compromise candidate between evangelical Reagan and centrist Nelson Rockefeller and get the Presidency.
 
1) Why Nixon? Why not? American society saw that Khrushchev Thaw lasted for more than years even after Khrushschev death. Then he proposed normalization in relationship with China, agreement with more liberal [than OTL] USSR - maybe even his slogan in presidential elections was Peace, not War or something like this. Maybe even his candidacy in Republican party was marginally won?

2) Johnson died on 1973 so I decided that he resigned from candidacy due to health and age issues.
 
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Part IX - Another Reformist

Alexei Kosygin was hospitialised on October 1980, during his stay he wrote resignation from office and recommended on this office Konstantin Chernenko who was Premier of the Soviet Union for nearly fifteen years and was very experienced - he took part in all talks between Soviet Union and other countries - as President of Soviet Union Alexei Kosygin took Chernenko everywhere [talks with USA, Poland, Czechoslovakia and many others]. During their cooperation Chernenko embraced many of Kosygin's views - he saw that economical reforms caused great growth in Soviet economy, citizens were happier, Party members wealthier and Red Star was strongest star again. He was very experienced in politics - he was a Party member since 1931 [in 1929 he joined Komsomol]. Kosygin felt that this was his last days of life so he called his successor to give him advices. He proposed that next Premier of the Soviet Union should be another reformist - actions taken during 1961-1980 can not be canceled out by some stupid headliner. Chernenko was old and sickly so he need help with ruling greatest country in the world. Before they could speak about Party members to appoint as Premier Kosygin fell asleep due to his declining health. So Chernenko took his words literally and few hours later announced that Mikhail Gorbachev was appointed by him as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Few years later famous journalist Sergei Komarov, son of famous cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov wrote that Kosygin didn't wanted only economical reforms, not reforming whole politics and Gorbachex appointing was accident because weak Kosygin fell asleep during talking with Chernenko.

Mikhail Gorbachev was appointed as Chairman of the Council of Ministers on 25th October 1980. One day later he arrived in Moscow's hospital to meet with Kosygin. Unlike his predecessors he didn't fought in World War II and even wasn't born before October Revolution. He was only 49 [Chernenko was in Communist Party before Gorbachev was born] was was perceived as unofficial leader of young reformists in Party. Despite this he was experienced man - in 1972 he headed Soviet delegation to Belgium, in 1975 he led a delegation to West Germany, in 1976 he led delegation to London where European Space Agency organized scientific meeting about space travel and proposition of joint European-Soviet missions, in 1979 he was in Soviet diplomat corpse during SALT II talks between USSR and USA and later he led Soviet delegation in USA-USSR talks about future of Iran. In 1970s he attended many travel to West Europe and America with Soviet diplomats. He even met with President-elect Ronald Reagan in 1980 and talked about future of Soviet-American relationships. His biggest success before ascending into Premier seat was meeting with John F. Kennedy [in Moscow] which later described he to New York Times as "Young reformist, sign of changes in Soviet Union, great advocate of the democracy and freedom." This gave him support in American society.

On 18th December 1980 Alexei Kosygin died in the age of 76. He was one of the best leaders of Soviet Union or even Russian history. He managed to reform Soviet economy during his reign [1965-1980], began normalization in relationships with United States, created first in Russia market socialism, supported Soviet Space Program - lunar landing, first modular space station, lunar base, first in the world "Satellite Navigation System"*, began computerization of Soviet offices and schools. He fought with corruption [during 1961-1980 he sentenced to prison Frol Kozlov and many others "corrupt hardliners"].

First action taken by Gorbachev was anti-alcohol campaign which was designated to fight with alcoholism in Soviet Union. Prices of vodka, wine and beer was raised and their sales were restricted. Production and sale of alcohol went to black market which were slowly destroyed during 1980-2005.

Two months later on 14 February 1980 he announced new reform for Soviet Union: Perestroika, Glasnost, Uskoreniye. Cut on taxes were enacted on enterprises held by private persons in order to encourage Soviet citizens to establishing their own companies as competition versus companies held by foreign investors since 1960s and to strenghten national entrepreneurship. Meanwhile Local Planning Committees were created all across country in order to decentralize central planning in government owned factories. "Economical growth by enacting some of market elements is required if we want to catch up American economy." argumented Gorbachev on Party Congress. Next issue was glasnost - Gorbachev managed to convince Party that cancellation of censorship is required if Soviet citizens want be content. He also announced release of political prisoners held in prison by Alexei Kosygin. Last reform included in glasnost was enabling Soviet citizens to travel outside country in tourism and business contacts.

* OTL GLONASS
 
Part X - Space Exploration

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On 29th August Apollo 12 mission was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with three American astronauts on board: Charles "Pete" Conrad, Richard F. Gordon and Alan Bean. Five days later on 4th September Conrad came out from Lunar lander and said: Whoopie! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me. Color camera which were used by Bean was destroyed by Sun after astronaut pointed it directly into the star. Conrad and Bean achieved a precise landing at their expected location, the site of the Surveyor 3 unmanned probe, which had landed on April 20, 1967. They removed some of its pieces and returned them to Earth. Later NASA scientists found Streptococcus mitis inside these parts. After scientific examination did by American and later Soviet experts it was confirmed that this bacteria lived on the Moon inside probe since 1967. This expertise will be a source of conjecture that Moon can be inhabitable by anaerobic bacterias.

Next Lunar flight was Soviet - "Korolev" spacecraft* was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Nosstiel-1 rocket on 12th October 1969 with Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov on board. After landing on 22th October on Moon surface Yuri Gagarin took a photo of rising Earth above Lunar surface which will be later most known photo taken in space. Later the took a few part from Lunokhod-1 rover and left special box with several Earth bacterias as experiment taken by Soviet scientists to examine which Earth organisms can live on Moon surface.

On 20th February 1970 Aquarius lander from Apollo 13 mission landed on the Moon. After performing several experiments crew returned to Earth. Next missions will be Apollo 14 launched on 30th May 1970, Apollo 15 [first manned rover on the Moon] launched on 1st September 1970, Apollo 16 launched on 14th December 1970, Apollo 17 launched on 15th March 1971, Apollo 18 launched on 2nd July 1971, Apollo 19 launched on 6th November 1971 and Apollo 20 launched on 1st January 1972.

List of American astronauts on Lunar surface during Apollo program:

Apollo 11:

  • Neil Armstrong
  • Buzz Aldrin

Apollo 12:
  • Charles Conrad
  • Alan Bean

Apollo 13:

  • Jim Lovell
  • Fred Haise

Apollo 14:

  • Alan Shepard
  • Edgar Mitchell

First play in golf on lunar surface.

Apollo 15:

  • David Scott
  • James Irwin

First manned lunar rover.

Apollo 16:

  • John Young
  • Charles Duke

Apollo 17:

  • Eugene Cernan
  • Harrison Schmitt

Apollo 18:

  • Dick Gordon
  • Michael Collins

Apollo 19:
  • Fred Haise
  • Tom Stafford

Apollo 20:
  • Deke Slayton
  • Harrison Schmitt

After successful land on the Moon OKB-1 was converted by Alexei Kosygin into Soviet Space Agency on 13th April 1969.

During 1969-1972 Soviet Space Agency performed six lunar landings:

Soyuz - 12th April 1969:

  • Vladimir Komarov

Korolev - 12th October 1969:

  • Yuri Gagarin

Rodina - 1st April 1970:

  • Alexei Leonov

Mir - 5th July 1970:

  • Gherman Titov
  • First play in football on lunar surface

Tsander 7 November 1970:

  • Andriyan Nikolayev

Tsiolkovsky 14th February 1971:

  • Valentina Tereshkova
  • "From Lunar surface first female astronaut wishes you a happy Valentine's Day"

*Sergei Khrushchev ATL proposed that all manned spaceships should be named as космический корабль which will be later translated in English as spacecraft.
 
Part X - Space Exploration

Tsiolkovsky 14th February 1971:

  • Valentina Tereshkova
  • "From Lunar surface first female astronaut wishes you a happy Valentine's Day".
It would have been better International Women's Day (8 March). A holiday actually celebrated in the USSR and Worldwide and more pertinent for the first woman on the moon.
 
Part XI - Elections in Poland

"We in Poland believe in freedom, we believe in freedom virtues that make our nation strong. We, the people, we "Freedom and Sovereignty" believe that advance of the human rights are the best solution for Polish Nation and all world. First Secretary Edward Gierek, if you seek liberty and peace come here I speak with us!" - Leszek Kapuściński in demonstration before Sejm; 19 October 1982

Poland and Czechoslovakia was the most liberal countries in Eastern Bloc - Czechs and Slovaks enacted new policy - "socialism with human face" and Poles enacted liberal policy through repudiation of censorship, releasing political prisoners, allowing foreign companies to invest in Poland and freeing fine art from government control. On 13th March 1969 newspaper "Workers' Voice" was established in Krakow and runned by oppositionist Ryszard Kapuściński whose father fought in Polish-Russian War of 1920 and World War II when he was killed in Katyn by Soviet forces. Voice demanded from government revelation of full truth about Soviet atrocities against Polish nation, first free elections, multiparty system, enacting free market economy, expelling Soviet forces from Poland. During 1970s newspaper was extremely popular amongst workers, farmers and students. Due to lack of censorship communist regime couldn't openly react against this but buying all issue early in the morning before people had a chance to buy this. But it had negative effects - newspaper had enormous high income and they printed even more copies. On 1974 goverment stopped this practice and everything returned to normal situation.

On 2rd January 1980 Ryszard's brother Leszek established "Freedom and Sovereignty" trade union which will be later political party. It was popularized in newspapers and soon nearly 7 millions workers joined trade union. On 1st July 1982 many newspapers in Poland publicized allegations against several ministers and Communist Party members about enormous corruption in government. This hit all nation which will cry for justice and trials for guilty politicians. Few days later Freedom and Sovereignty demanded free elections and punishment for perpetrators. Major strikes funded by "Workers' Voice" occured in many Polish cities and nearly all country stopped. After hard and controversial negotiations on 21st July 1982 Edward Gierek announced that legislative elections will be held on 4th December and that other parties than communists can take a part in this.

Soon Freedom and Sovereignty announced that their candidates will take part in Sejm elections. After few days several liberal politicians seceded from Communist Party and created Polish Social Democrat Party. Journalist and Christian politician Tadeusz Mazowiecki established Union of Democrats and announced that his party will take a part in elections.

Polish United Workers' Party - communist party composed from headliners and reformists. Their leader Edward Gierek promised political reforms, he is rembered as one of greatest leaders in Polish history due to his economical reforms.
Polish Social Democrat Party - social democrats originated from communist party led by Wojciech Jaruzelski. They want to enact "socialism with human face" in Poland.
Freedom and Sovereignty - centrist party led by Leszek Kapuściński. They advocates enacting full democracy, leaving Warsaw Pact, full free market in Poland.
Union of Democrats - right-wing party led by Taudeusz Mazowiecki composed from Christian [mainly Catholic but there is some Protestant and Orthodox] politicians. They are demanding democracy in Poland.

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interesting scenario though I must criticise the literary mode - a prefer a trickle down system in which you focus on a very limited period of time (max three years), allowing the author to increase the amount of detail and slowly built up the storyline as you add more info in following updates.

Now what is occuring in the USA and how is the more liberal soviet bloc affected the political sixties (1965-1972) and the political development of the late seventies/early eighties? The rightward shift and growing conservatism that the Baby Boomers faced was the ultimate result of the failure of Maoism and the authoritarianism of all communist governments.

I mean the USA would still become a conservative nation, because religious conservatism is appealing in a populist sort of way but it would not have been as immense under a liberal soviet bloc.
 
Part XII - Wind of Change

Mikhail Gorbachev was Soviet politician famous for his liberal views who ruled Soviet Union for twenty five years since death of Alexei Kosygin in 1980 to his resignation from presidency in 2005. During this years he acted as First Secretary [1980-1989], Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Soviet Union [1989-1999] and President of the Soviet Union [1999-2005]. During his reign he performed several reforms which transformed Soviet economy into free market economy, democratized politics of Soviet Union by first regional elections in 1989, first parliamentarian elections in 1991 and first presidential elections in 1999. This period known as "Gorbachevka" was remembered as best period in Russian history - country was strong, economy was powerful [2nd in the world, only behind United States] and human rights was guaranteed for all citizens. On 1981 he released all political prisoners and removed last headliners from power, few months later he invited Russians and other nationalities exiled during 1917-1980 and invited all Russians - White and Red to build common country. On 12th November he met with John F. Kennedy in Moscow - during this meeting Kennedy was impressed byt Gorbachev's reforms and called this as "Wind of Change". Few years later German rock band Scorpions released their song under title "Wind of Change" about prierestroika and glasnost which during few years became most popular song in the world. On 1989 artists from this band met with Gorbachev in Moscow and performed this song during concert in Moscow.

On 12th November 1980 Gennady Yanayev tried to imprison Gorbachev and called him as counterrevolutionary traitor but failed and was arrested by Moscow police loyal to liberal government. Few days later Gorbachev ordered police to search Communist Party members who supported failed putsch and imprison them. During few next months large numbers of communist hardliners was blackmailed and forced to resign from Party membership and politics, few of them openly supported rebellion and were sentenced to life in prison. This move allowed Gorbachev to push his reforms forward. On 13th March 1982 Gorbachev met with United States President Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and French Prime Minister Georges Marchais to discuss about future of Germany after riots in Berlin which occured few months earlier. Reagan and Gorbachev wanted unification of Germany as neutral country not alligned with NATO or Warsaw Pact. Thatcher didin't want unified Germany and viewed this as dangerous for peace in Europe. Communist Prime Minister of France was reserved about Gorbachev' reforms. After two weeks of negotiations Treaty of Reykjavik was signed on 27th March 1982. Free State of Germany was formed from East Germany and West Germany, Soviet Union was obliged to tear down Berlin Wall and retreat their forces from Germany. West countries was obliged to leave Germany as neutral country. After reforms performed by German Communist Party during Khrushchev Thaw [1956-1980] East German had strong car industry [VEB Sachsenring], electronics [Siemens-East Germany] and many others. Reforms taken by Erich Honecker allowed German economy to grow bigger and many people in West Germany called East Germany as tru socialist country. No one was wondered when in first free elections in United Germany [1st August 1982] SPD composed from politicians from West and East achieved 38.7% votes and was second party in parliament just after CDU with 43.8%.

General elections in Poland were popularized in Soviet press embranced positively, one of them "Soviet Man" even demanded from Gorbachev elections in Soviet Union. More people living in USSR demanded multiparty elections so First Secretary announced in 1989 that in each Soviet Socialist Republic on 12th November will be held elections that will elect presidents of SSRs. For the first time other parties than communist were allowed to run in elections and in Baltic States [Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania] and Ukraine right-wing presidents were chosen. In many others republics right-wing parties achieved strong position. This caused political crisis in Soviet which forced Gorbachev to form parliament consisted from communist and other ideologies. Strong opposition from Central Comittee was broken after imprisoning few hardliners with accusations about corruption. On 1992 first parliamentary elections occured - Communist Party won 37% seats and was forced to form coalition with Socialist Party which achieved 21% seats. During 1992-1999 in USSR nationality problems were growing - on 1st March 1993 Lithuanian president announced rise of Lithuanian Republic independent from USSR. Two weeks later Latvia announced similar declaration followed by Estonians. These three nations formed Baltic Alliance. Soviet garrisons in Vilnus, Riga and Tallin were repulsed from these cities. Few months later in September 1993 national referendums in SSRs in which citizens voted to stay in Soviet Union [except Armenia and Azerbaijan]. New demands from Soviet citizens forced Gorbachev to perform first presidential elections in Soviet Union in which he acquired 52% votes.

Now, Soviet Union is democratic federation of 12 countries in Eastern Europe and Asia.
 
I don't want to rain on your parade but liberal USSR is an oxymoron, because the only thing keeping the USSR together was the oppression of all opposition and minorities. In OTL Gorbachev believed he could reform the USSR but he did forget that except Russia no one wanted to be a member of the USSR. They had all be forced into the USSR by Lenin and his successors. A liberal USSR had to break apart as it did in OTL because its reluctant members will leave and do their own thing. Everything else is ASB.
 
except Russia no one wanted to be a member of the USSR

That's not really true, Belorussia and Ukraine (more east than the west) were quite loyal and people were unwilling to leave the Soyuz, Kazakhstan had actually Russian majority so that's a non-issue, Armenia was also rather pro-Russian, and the Caucasus was violent, but not very independence oriented.

Only the Baltic states would leave USSR no matter what as soon as possible. Granted, nobody would like to live in Stalin's USSR, but liberal prosperous USSR (or even Brezhnev's failocracy) is something completely else. Of course, given OTL's economic hardship, republics (especially the richer ones) would start to squabble in a few years and the result will not be nice.

Still, Slavic union (Russia+Ukraine+Belorussia) is very possible, even more probable than OTL, and some other republics might stay in the union nevertheless.
 
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