WI: Admiral Gorshkov Leader of the Soviet Union

What if Admiral Gorshkov Leader of the Soviet Union

I'm reading Soviet Admiral Sergey Gorshkov's book "The Sea Power of the State" and I have found him to be a brilliant individual. I could see him perhaps succeeding Brezhnev, since they were close friends. How could this be made to happen?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Gorshkov
 
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Anyone for the admiral?:D

My guess is he would provide stability, continue the Era of Stagnation, and keep Brezhnev's policies. What impact would this have on Soviet Union? Would it still collapse in this scenario?
 
The communist party was very intent on making sure the army and the kgb were subservient to the party. So, it wasnt going to happen without some intermediate steps. Note, that Andropov had to leave the KGB and join the Secretariat before becoming GenSec. Had he still been the head of the KGB, someone else such as Chernenko would have become GenSec.
 
Was he a party member?

His book is certainly interesting. It is weird reading the history of WW2 through such a different lens...

fasquardon
 
Was he a party member?

His book is certainly interesting. It is weird reading the history of WW2 through such a different lens...

fasquardon

To get to the rank of Admiral or General you had to be party member. Actually without party membership there wouldn't be much career advance for professional soldier.
 
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