1C: Reform, Stability and Stagnation, 1953-85. Flashcards
1
Q
Who were the main contenders for Power following Stalin’s death in 1953?
A
- Georgy Malenkov: Stalin’s rumoured favourite and Premier after his death; held power in the State.
- Lavrentiy Beria: Head of Political Police (MVD) and deputy Premier under Stalin, implemented terror.
- Nikita Khrushchev: Secretary of Central Committee after Stalin’s death, held power within the Party where he was popular.
2
Q
Outline the early Government reforms following Stalin’s death.
A
- Restrict the power of the MVD: Rehabilitated 4620 people who had been falsely executed and terminated industrial projects based on slave-labour, decrease gulag population fron 2.4 mill in 1953 to 1.6 mill in 1956.
- Encouraged the representation of Soviet Republics, requiring the speaking of and publication in their languages.
- Eventually, Beria was arrested and executed, symbolising the end of political terror on the scale seen under Stalin.
3
Q
Describe Khrushchev’s early government reforms.
A
- The replacement of Stalin’s supporters with his own.
- Cutting bureaucracy, thereby weakening the State, by devolving power to Republican Governments.
- De-Stalinisation: a shift of focus from personal leadership to a more humane, honest version of communism which would better and enrich people’s lives. Presented criticisms of Stalin at s Secret Speech in 1956.
- Terror was minimised, all but ended; those in gulags often had their cases reviewed.
- Party membership was expanded from 6.9 mill in 1954 to 11 mill in 1964, and members were given fixed terms so as to prevent them becoming a new elite.
- The Party was divided into Industrial and Agricultural Bureaus.
4
Q
What were the problems of De-Stalinisation?
A
- Communist Parties in Satellite States began to take advantage, pushing for independence.
- The exposure of Stalin’s crimes undermined faith in the Soviet system.
- Khrushchev’s indecision, sparked by concerns over the speed of DS, undermined faith in him.
- Decentralisation cause resentment amongst Party officials, eventually leading to the formation of the Anti-Party Group, whom Khrushchev evaded by claiming only the Central Committee held power over his position.
- Stalin’s legacy was never truly eradicated, meaning his personality cult could be revived under Brezhnev.
5
Q
What were the important features of Brezhnev’s Government?
A
- Focused on Restoration and Stability, keen to undo Khrushchev’s reforms; initially ensured top positions were shared equally between Brezhnev, Kosygin and their respective supporters and that such roles could be kept for a long time to limit patronage (stability of cadres).
- Centralisation through the re-establishment of all-union ministries abandoned by Khrushchev, rejoining industrial and agricultural wings of Party and recognising Party’s leading role through Article 6 of the 1977 Constitution.
- Eventually became a Gerontocracy.
- Corruption.
6
Q
What were the important features of Andropov’s Government?
A
- Advocated discipline.
- Abandoned Stability of Cadres policy.
- Introduced small-scale economic reforms focused on discipline in the workplace.
- Anti-corruption campaigns: exposed corrupt officials and attacked senior figures.
7
Q
What were the important features of Chernenko’s Government?
A
- Unwilling/unable to enact major reform due to illness.