Chapter 21 Flashcards
When did Stalin die
5th March 1953
Who assumed control as both General Secretary of Party and Chairman of Council of Ministers the day after Stalin’s death (6th March 1953)
Malenkov
Who forced Malenkov to step down as Party Secretary a few days after assuming the title
His rivals
Who replaced Malenkov as Party Secretary
Khrushchev
How did Khrushchev begin to build up support for him
Appoint his own proteges to important party positions as General Secretary
What did Beria stand for
Release of all but the most dangerous political prisoners
Who conspired against Beria
Khrushchev, Malenkov and the military
When was Beria arrested and killed
Arrested June 1953, and found guilty of anti-Party and anti-State activities so executed on 24th December 1953
What was the main rivalry between Malkenkov and Khrushchev
Malenkov wanted to place more investment into consumer goods, Khrushchev wanted parallele development of heavy and light industry, launching the Virgin Land Schemes
When and why did Malenkov step down as Chairman of the Council of Ministers
February 1955 due to early success of Virgin Land Schemes
How did Khrushchev survive the first attempt to oust him in 1957
He insisted the matter be put to the Central Committee who voted in favour of him
What happened to those who tried to oust Khrushchev in 1957
Became known as ‘anti-Party group’ and expelled from the party, sent to jobs in Moscow
When did Khrushchev speak out against Stalinist policy
Delivered his speech ‘On the Cult of Personality and its Consequences’
What did the speech ‘On the Cult of Personality and its Consequences’ say
Accused Stalin of terror, torture and causing tremendous harm to the cause of socialist progress. Also, the murder of Kirov
What changes to government bodies indicated that Khrushchev was dismantling the Soviet system
Secret police reduced in size,a dn a partial revival of an independent judicial system
What were the two main aims of Khrushchev that led to the transformation from a one-man dictatorship to a one-party state
Democratisation and Decentralisation
Evidence of democratisation and decentralisation
- In 1962, the Party was split into urban and rural sectors at all levels
- Non-Party members were encouraged to take supervisory roles and some ere invited to Party congresses
