Khrushchev Flashcards
Khrushchev appointed first secretary
September 1953
Policy differences between Malenkov and politburo due to
Unsuccessful FYP, poor agricultural output (little higher than in the tsar’s time), conciliatory approach to the west to avoid nuclear war
Bulganin replaces Malenkov, but K. Most powerful due to
February 1955. Support of the army, Ukrainian CP and majority in the central committee
Aim of destalinisation
To dismantle Stalin’s dictatorship, prevent the collapse of the system but also dissociate himself from his actions
Denounced Stalin for
Personality cult, purges and repression since 1934, conduct of the war
Secret speech (date and results)
February 1956. Broke down fear, caused unrest in Poland and Revolution in Hungary, discontent in USSR, further destalinization and contributed to sino-soviet split
Examples of destalinization
Rotation of office, 1958 new criminal code, gulag conditions improved, 10,000 freed by 1955 and rehabilitated, security police downgraded MVD->KGB accountable to party and govt, may 1955 apologised to Tito in Yugoslavia, abolished unconstitutional and powerful private secretariat
The thaw in art
Allowed Solzhenitsyn to publish ‘a day in the life of boris denisovich’ however condemned Pasternak for dr Zhivago and in 1962 set up ideological committee to regulate censorship.
The second power struggle (1957)
Anti-K. Majority due to his policies, speed of destalinization, p.c and discontent.
Emerged on top as CC filled with his supporters, patron to 60% of them.
Molotov, Malenkov, Kaganovich removed from presidium, demoted to honourable but distant posts. Bloodless result and important stage in d.s
P.c quote
1959 “we offer the capitalist countries peaceful competition”
Examples of peaceful coexistence
Oct, Nov 1957 Sputnik however expensive arms race ensued.
1959 visited camp David, spoke with Eisenhower
However illegal spying, Gary powers, us refused to apologise at Paris summit 1960
1961 Vienna with JFK, Berlin Wall after
1962 Cuba, backed down
1963 nuclear test ban treaty, hotline established
Agricultural domestic policies
- lighter industry, radios, TVs, washing machines
- profits not quotas
- Virgin lands Kazakhstan, by 1956, 1953 harvest was tripled, but failed to cultivate properly, desertification by 1960-5 half ruined
- 1957 livestock campaign to overtake US in meat, milk and butter within 4 years. Failed
- Ukraine maize production for cattle fodder. Only 20% harvestable, climate too wet
- 1962 food price rise, bread queues and riots
- 1963 had to import grain, showed failure
Socio-economic policies
- housing stock doubled 1955-64
- citizens had right to join housing cooperatives and buy a home
- fees abolished for schools and secondary colleges
- good at first but failed because imbalances remained uncorrected, shortage of capital, higher military spending 1960-3
- Sovnarkhozy regional economic councils to reduce inefficiency and over centralisation didn’t work, judgements only maxed on info available to Moscow.
Relations with China
China resented destalinization and the denunciation.
K. Reluctant to help against Taiwan
P.C. Vs ‘all out war against the imperialists’
Refused assistance to Chinese nuclear programme.
Soviets resented the independence of the Chinese Communist movement
Split evident in 1960 when soviet technicians were pulled out of China.
Khrushchev’s fall
- unpopular with army due to neglect of conventional forces, cadres due constant reorganisation, economic downturn and agricultural failures, impetuosity and indiscretion embarrassed the elite
- went on holiday and was forced to resign October 1964
