Khrushchev, 1954-1964

Question 1

What did de-stalinisation mean to Khrushchev?

Answer 1

• ending personal rule

- ending the use of terror

Question 2

Name 3 aspects of Khrushchev’s political reform.

Answer 2

1. De-stalinisation
2. Democratisation and decentralisation
3. Final Reforms

Question 3

Name 3 ways Khrushchev carried out de-stalinisation.

Answer 3

1. Ending terror
2. Personnel changes
3. The Secret Speech

Question 4

De-stalinisation

Give evidence of Khrushchev ending terror.

Answer 4

In 1953, 4,500 Communist prisoners were rehabilitated

Question 5

De-stalinisation

Give evidence of Khrushchev’s personnel changes

Answer 5

Khrushchev replaced around 44% of the Central Committee between 1953 and 1956.

Question 6

De-stalinisation

What was Khrusschev’s secret speech?

Answer 6

Speech criticised Stalin’s dictatorship based on a cult of personality.

Kept secret so not to undermine the authority of the Communist Party.

Question 7

When was Khrushchev’s secret speech?

Answer 7

1956

Question 8

What was ‘Democratisation’.

Answer 8

Initiative allowing workers and peasants to join the Communist party. As a result

• membership grew
• party became more representative

Question 9

Give evidence of ‘democratisation’ making the party more representative

Answer 9

By 1964, 60% of the members of the Communist party were workers or peasants.

Question 10

What were Khrushchev’s most prominent final reforms?

Answer 10

1. Divided the party in two - one supervising agriculture and one the economy
2. Fixed terms introduced for all government jobs

Question 11

Why did Khrushchev introduce fixed terms?

Answer 11

to try and prevent corruption and stagnation