If you ask who in the history of the Soviet Union is most qualified to be called a senator? Probably only Suslov, known as the "Grey Bishop".
As the "number one thinker" in the field of Soviet ideology, Suslov's life is indeed worthy of the legendary nature. From the time he joined the Bolshevik Party in 1921 to his death due to illness in 1982, Suslov spent 60 years in Soviet politics, through the three generations of leaders of Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev, leaving an indelible mark on the long river of Soviet history.
In fact, Suslov's path to development was not smooth. After graduating in 1928, Suslov taught at Moscow University for a long time, teaching red economics. If it had not been for the "Great Purge", perhaps Suslov would have spent his whole life as a teacher at the university. But smart people are smart people after all, and with his heavy theoretical literacy, Suslov was quickly appreciated by Stalin's secretary Mekhlis and recommended to Stalin.
In this way, Suslov began his life all the way.
In 1934, Suslov assumed the leadership of the Soviet Control Committee under Stalin's arrangement. During this period, relying on his keen political sense and solid theoretical cultivation, Suslov was repeatedly used in the process of the Great Purge. By the end of World War II, Suslov became the head of the Central Propaganda and Sensational Department of the Soviet Union, responsible for propaganda in the ideological field.
March 1953 was an unforgettable year for the Soviet people, and an important turning point for Suslov's career. Due to the fierce political struggle at the top of the Soviet Union at that time, Suslov was unfortunately involved in this turmoil and was suppressed by Malenkov's faction.
However, Khrushchev's "helping hand" gave Suslov hope. In order to avoid being suppressed and liquidated, Suslov closely followed Khrushchev in the subsequent high-level struggle, and successively participated in the suppression of the "Malenkov coup" and "Molotov coup".
In return, Khrushchev naturally returned the favor and continued to put Suslov in charge of propaganda in the ideological field of the USSR. During this period, Suslov advocated strict defense in the ideological field and the establishment of censorship for literary and artistic works, so he was also called "gray bishop" by Soviet literati.
And within the Soviet Union, the assessment of Suslov was also polarized. The reformists led by Khrushchev advocated the lifting of ideological control and the relaxation of the orientation of public opinion, but Suslov did not think so, believing that it was necessary to adhere to the ideological policy of the Stalin period, otherwise it would inevitably bring disastrous consequences to the country.
In this situation, the contradiction between Suslov and Khrushchev quickly intensified, and Khrushchev even openly declared that he would replace "Mikhail" (referring to Suslov). However, before Khrushchev could act, Suslov, together with Brezhnev and others, ousted Khrushchev from power.
After Brezhnev came to power, Suslov remained in second place, in charge of the ideological field of the Soviet Union.
At that time, some people jokingly said that Kosygin was in charge of the economy, Chernenko was in charge of party affairs, Gresco was in charge of the army, Andropov was in charge of security, and Suslov was in charge of ideology, but the boss could only have one, that is, Brezhnev, who was immersed in hunting all day.
In fact, the thirty years during which Suslov was in charge of thought were both the most brilliant era of Soviet literature and art, and the era full of ideological shackles.
In Suslov's time, the Soviet art world could not be exaggerated with a hundred flowers. The literary master Shohorov and the music master Shostakovich are famous all over the world, and the film Moscow does not believe that tears are immortal classics in the history of world cinema.
However, ideological shackles are also essential. As Stalin's most faithful believer, Suslov advocated upholding Stalin's literary and artistic policy and imposing imprisoning measures in the literary and artistic circles. Therefore, behind the seemingly blooming flowers, there are actually various constraints, and absolute cultural freedom only exists in a certain ideological space.
However, in terms of his personal life, Suslov lived an almost puritanical life. Compared with those "moths" of the Brezhnev period, Suslov did not pride himself on seeking luxury, on the contrary, he was extremely strict with himself and reported his income and expenditure on time every year. During the Brezhnev period, when corruption was rife, Suslov's actions were indeed remarkable.
As Brezhnev said: "Mikhail Andreevich (Suslov) lived a life of consciousness, he really acted according to principles in all respects and always served our country and people wholeheartedly." ”
As the most prestigious state activist of the Soviet era, Suslov was indeed worthy of meritorious achievements. Even if he was a "sinner" who hindered the progress of the USSR, we cannot deny that he was an excellent thinker!