On discovering that the KGB (state security police) had searched his home, the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote an open letter to the head of the KGB, of which this is an edited extract - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2019
Question A
On discovering that the KGB (state security police) had searched his home, the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote an open letter to the head of the KGB, of ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:On discovering that the KGB (state security police) had searched his home, the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote an open letter to the head of the KGB, of which this is an edited extract - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2019
Step 1
What had Solzhenitsyn tolerated in silence?
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Answer
Solzhenitsyn tolerated the inspection of all of his letters as well as the confiscation of half of them. This invasion of his privacy was accepted by him for a period, marking the extent of governmental control over individual freedoms.
Step 2
Who was doing the spying?
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The spying was conducted by the KGB, which is the Soviet Union's state security police. They were responsible for monitoring individuals considered a threat to the state.
Step 3
What was being done to visitors?
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Visitors to Solzhenitsyn's home were being shadowed, stalked, followed, and spied upon. This ensured that the authorities kept a close watch on any interactions he had, limiting his freedom of association.
Step 4
How was technology being used against Solzhenitsyn?
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Technology was used against Solzhenitsyn through the tapping of his telephone conversations and the recording of those discussions. This invasion highlighted the extent of surveillance he faced from the authorities.
Step 5
Why was Solzhenitsyn viewed as a dissident writer by the Soviet authorities in Russia?
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Solzhenitsyn was regarded as a dissident writer because his works often criticized the Soviet regime and its oppressive policies. His perspectives provided a challenge to the state’s narrative, thus positioning him as a threat to the Soviet authorities.
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