Death of Stalin Flashcards
Nature of Stalin 1953?
Unpredictable and menacing- ready to force another wave of repression
Plans from 1952?
Planning a purge of ‘old guards’ - Mikoyan and Molotov vulnerable with pressures mounting against Beria
What date did Stalin diE?
March 5th 1953
Circumstances of Stalin’s death?
28th Feb- had a stroke after a long drinking session- was found unable to move or speak- no party members called a doctor
Why was the stroke of Stalin ironic?
All of best doctors were in prisoner/labour camps as a result of his doctors purge
Popular conspiracy for death?
Beria had organised the murder of Stalin by poison- as f Stalin would not die he would
Stalin’s first stroke date?
1946
Daughter’s reaction to death?
‘That is what is called helping a man to die’
Occasion of Stalin’s funeral?
One last manifesto of Stalin cult- body was embalmed and placed in an open coffin to be viewed by hysterical crowds
There was an explosion of national grief
Why was there no neat ending to High Stalinsm?
He had not nominating any successor and deliberately made it difficult for any contender to assume leadership- intense power struggle
Who emerged as new leader?
Khrushchev
Stalin Legacy?
Production of consumer goods had been underfunded- agriculture failed to keep up with pace of industrialisation
Decline in relations with the West
Violence and repression in USSR
Krushchev secret speech?
By 1956 Khrushchev believed he had assumed enough power and held a private congress- no journalists/foreign delegates, long and detailed speech that denounced Stalin’s crimes and erros- shocking but began attempts to de’Stalinise USSR
Stalin’s legacy abroad?
Cold war divisions
Nuclear arm race
Pressure for reform in satellites
Why did S daughter criticise his legacy?
Even Hitler did not kill his own people
