Changes

'''Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko''' (1911-1985) was General Secretary of the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (CPSU) between 13 February 1984 and his death on 10 March 1985. Promoted to supreme office following the death of [[Yuri Andropov]], and already ailing at his succession, he was a stop-gap Soviet leader. After his death, he was succeeded by [[Mikhail Gorbachev]].

'''Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko''' (1911-1985) was General Secretary of the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (CPSU) between 13 February 1984 and his death on 10 March 1985.  

 

Following the death of 76 year old [[Leonid Brezhnev]] who was in power for 18 years during the [[Years of Stagnation]], 70 year old [[Yuri Andropov]] assumed power for 15 months until his death, followed by the relatively unknown 74 year old Konstantin Chernenko who ruled for 13 months until his death. After Chernenko death, he was succeeded by the 52 year old reform-minded [[Mikhail Gorbachev]].

The son of a miner, Chernenko served in World War II as the zampolit (political officer) for a [[P-39 Airacobra]] squadron.

The son of a miner, Chernenko served in World War II as the zampolit (political officer) for a [[P-39 Airacobra]] squadron.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chernenko, Konstantin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chernenko, Konstantin}}