1.14 Khrushchev's Policies and downfall Flashcards
1
Q
What was Khrushchev’s foreign policy?
A
- He argued that just because communism and capitalism where opposing ideologies, it did not mean that conflict between them was inevitable.
- Travelled around a lot as easy-going humorous face of communism
-
1960 reduced standing army from 3.6 to 2.4 million
DID NOT WANT TO REDUCE USSR INFLUENCE
2
Q
How successful was Khrushchev’s foreign policy?
A
- Withdrew missiles from Cuba 1962- stop USA blockade on Cuba (denounced by Mao)
3
Q
How did Khrushchev reform agriculture?
A
- 1953-6 procurement price rose by 25%
- Peasant taxes now done on how much land they had
- Farming in western Siberia the Virgin Land campaign
4
Q
How successful were the agrarian reforms?
A
- By 1956 35.9 million hectares were cultivated which contributed to over 50% of USSR’s grain
- 1960 13,000 square miles had top soil removed. 1963 a very poor harvest meant he had to receive help from west Khrushchev mocked
- Khrushchev wanted to farm maize but it was not suited to the land
- Pricing system was random and did not incentivise farmers
- Lack of meat and eggs lead to Novocherkassk riot where troops killed 24
5
Q
What reforms did Krushchev do in industry?
A
- 1959 launched realistic 7 year plan- emphasis on oil, gas and coal but also on consumer goods
- 105 regional economic councils created to monitor industry, but created more bureaucracy
6
Q
How successful were the industrial reforms?
A
- Productivity low, quality poor
- Standards of living improved, minimum wage introduced in
- 1956, Urban Russian diet improved, books and public transport cheaper than west, 1968 50% of households had a tv and a washing machine
- Construction of houses increased but built without running water or lifts
yes but mainly no as it was very disorganised
7
Q
What did Khrushchev do in the space race?
A
- 1957 launched Sputnik 1 into orbit
- Sputnik 2 put a dog, Laika, into space but couldn’t bring her back so died
- 1959 landed a red flag on the moon
- 1961 first man in space
8
Q
How successful was Khrushchev in the space race?
A
- Huge investment of scarce resources which could have benefitted Russian civilians
- Lost the space race
- Should have focused on feeding his people instead
9
Q
Why was Khrushchev removed from power?
A
- 1964 whilst holidaying in the Black Sea he was forced to return and retire at 70
- He was critiised for ‘cult of personality’, bangin shoe at U.N, devolution of power annoyed bureaucrats, reduced cost in military spending- so unpopular with the army, cuban crisis lost him support, and he was personally blamed for the failure of the Virgin Land Schemes
10
Q
When did Khrushchev die?
A
1971 in Moscow
