WI Chernenko was succeded by Victor Grishin in 1984?

Victor Grishin was a Communist Party functionary. He rose to be the leader of the Communist Party in the city of Moscow (1967–1985). He was known for his hardline stance. A foe of Konstantin Chernenko, Grishin dragged the terminally ill leader out to vote in early 1985, which was almost universally viewed as a cruel act. Grishin lost the election to the General Secretary post in 1985, yet became a supporter, albeit lukewarm, of Mikhail Gorbachev, his rival in the election. Ironically, Gorbachev removed Grishin from office in 1985.
WI the Party had elected Grishin instead of Gorbachev in 1985? How is the election of a hardliner affects History? Any thoughts?
 
At first thought I see an extended life for the Soviet Empire. There economic problems still exist, but without Gorby the Soviets and Eastern Europeans are not as inspired to question authority.
 
I agree that under Grishin USSR would survive past 1991 but with a hardliner as a leader there could be a turmoil and maybe a split in the Communist Party (Gorbachev could be expelled as a reformist leading to a new purge ala Stalin...)
 
I agree that under Grishin USSR would survive past 1991 but with a hardliner as a leader there could be a turmoil and maybe a split in the Communist Party (Gorbachev could be expelled as a reformist leading to a new purge ala Stalin...)

Hmm the CPSU was pretty good at keeping splits becomeing too dangerous Gorby would perhaps lose his job, he could be put in lower Politburo slot or made first secretary of somewhere.

I've said before that so long as the CPSU dosnt slacken it's grip them the USSR will stumble on without overt instablity. The outcome of this depends on what Grishin himself dose, he may restart Andropov’s more modest set of economic reforms Gorby’s slash & burn style reforms buggered the Soviet economy by destroying the planning system without putting anything in it’s place.

Afghanistan would still be a bleeding sore but the cost wasn’t prohibitive so the USSR may intensify it’s efforts to end the war or start pulling out some of their troops.

The War-Pac nations will still have Red Army support to keep them propped up, if necessary.
 
Hmm the CPSU was pretty good at keeping splits becomeing too dangerous Gorby would perhaps lose his job, he could be put in lower Politburo slot or made first secretary of somewhere.

I've said before that so long as the CPSU dosnt slacken it's grip them the USSR will stumble on without overt instablity. The outcome of this depends on what Grishin himself dose, he may restart Andropov’s more modest set of economic reforms Gorby’s slash & burn style reforms buggered the Soviet economy by destroying the planning system without putting anything in it’s place.

Afghanistan would still be a bleeding sore but the cost wasn’t prohibitive so the USSR may intensify it’s efforts to end the war or start pulling out some of their troops.

The War-Pac nations will still have Red Army support to keep them propped up, if necessary.

Grishin was known to retaliate hard... So if any of the soviet satellite states attempted to break away from them there could be a repeat of 1956 invasion of Hungary... USA and NATO wouldnt like that i guess...
 
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