Khrushchev, Brezhnev and Chernenko

Question 1

Give a specific example of destalinisation

Answer 1

The Secret Speech in 1956

Question 2

Give a specific example of destalinisation destabilising the government’s power and Khrushchev suppressing the ensuing protest

Answer 2

In 1957, pro-democracy protests broke out at Moscow State University which were suppressed by the authorities

Question 3

Give a specific example of Khrushchev’s democratisation

Answer 3

He introduced fixed terms for senior communists to ensure they were replaced regularly

Question 4

Give a specific example of a limit on Khrushchev’s personal power

Answer 4

De-Stalinisation was unpopular with the Politburo causing the Anti-Party Group movement which meant Khrushchev was reliant on the Central Committee to keep his position

Question 5

Give an example of internal purging under Khrushchev

Answer 5

Malenkov was sent to run a hydroelectric power plant in Kazakhstan for his role in the Anti-Party Group

Question 6

Give a specific example of decentralisation under Khrushchev

Answer 6

Khrushchev abolished central agencies that oversaw the economy and created 105 sovnarkhoz - regional devolved planning agencies

Question 7

Give an example of Khrushchev’s reforms upsetting Party officials

Answer 7

Some party members killed themselves after hearing the secret speech

Question 8

Give a specific example of Brezhnev reversing or blocking political reform

Answer 8

He replaced fixed terms with Trust In Cadres in 1965

Question 9

Give a specific example of the gerontocracy

Answer 9

The average age in the Politburo went from 58 in 1966 to 75 in 1982

Question 10

Give a specific example of Andropov attempting to reform the gerontocracy

Answer 10

He ditched Trust In Cadres and replaced a quarter of senior officials.

Question 11

Give an example of the USSR continuing to be a One Party State

Answer 11

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was crushed