Khrushchev Flashcards
Trajectory of Nikita Khrushchev?
Profited from the great purges, was a commissar in Ukraine during the war and got in trouble for trying to help Ukraine afterwards, but was forgiven and promoted by Stalin to dilute the power of others.
How did he secure power?
After Stalin’s death, he formed alliances with enemies like Malenkov to get rid of rivals to power like Beria. Later, he gets rid of these allies - Malenkov ended up managing a cement factory. He appointed people who were loyal to him.
Describe Beria during transition
Took lead in reforms. Got rid of Gulag, advocated for less repression (New Course), wanted to improve relationship with Satellites, stop looting them of resources. Wanted a neutral, unified Germany. Khrushchev and Malenkov have him executed 24 December 1953. Was serial rapist and murderer.
Khrushchev Secret Speech
Given on February 25, 1956, was a denunciation of Stalin’s cult of personality that paved the way for his reason to get rid of Stalin’s allies and bring about reforms.
Khrushchev’s Thaw
opening up of cultural life - artists given more autonomy to say what they think about the party, but still must “serve socialism” People can go abroad, outside of the USSR now. Backlash in 1963.
Khrushchyovka
Houses built during the time - 84 million in 6 years
Virgin Lands
Notion that Russia has so much land and so little of it was used. This was because it was shitty land, but they tried anyway. Good first crop, but failures after.
Change in foreign policy
No longer believe war is inevitable with capitalists. Class struggle isn’t primary concern anymore, but interests. Try to promote peace - not always successful (Hungary, Cuban Missile Crisis).
What made Khrushchev unpopular?
“Reform Fatigue.” People got sick of all his new ideas, many of which were not implemented or done so halfheartedly. Lots of failed reforms, like his Virgin Lands plan. He also threatened the power of many people within the system by introducing term limits for cadres, making it difficult to amass power within any particular area. He got rid of the Politburo and replaced it with the Presidium to dilute power of senior officials.
What was his plan to catch the west?
“Catch up to overcome.” Shrank Soviet military to put money into other things that went underfunded. The Space Race was a big part of this and brought lots of prestige. Also more focus on housing and functional consumer products.
How was foreign policy?
Lots of failures.
