The year 1946 witnessed the first full year of peace for the ussr in several years. It was a time to recover and take stock of the international situation. the year was characterized by a steady deterioration of U.S.Soviet relations as the "hands across the Elbe" spirit was swept away by confrontation. the year 1946 also witnessed a massive reorganization of the Soviet armed forces, which affected the very structure of the defense establishment, as well as the ground forces, air forces, and security, services.

Peace, Recovery, and Taking Stock

The period of peace allowed Moscowto retool its economic plans once again. the Five-Year Plan for the period 1946-50 was inaugurated this year; this was the first such plan since the 1930s.

Political recovery was just as necessary. in February, the first elections since 1937 were held to the Supreme Soviet, the rubber-stamp Soviet parliament. This was more for show than substance, however, as Stalin's position was as secure as ever.

The year was also the first of several years of the so-called "Zhdanov period," named after Andrei Zhdanov, the Leningrad Party boss who held substantial power during the late 1940s. This period, known in Russian as Zhdanovshchina, was characterized by increasing ideological . . .