Khrushchev- depth study Flashcards
(32 cards)
Q1. How far did de-stalinisation represent a genuine break from the past?
When did Khrushchev come to power?
1956-1964
Why did Khrushchev adopt a policy of de-stalinisation?
- Believed that the previous government, under Stalin’s extreme repressive rule, had tarnished the USSR’s reputation and image overseas- wanted to change that
- Thought the people of Russia would welcome a new form of government
- Khrushchev may have wanted to detract from the unpopularity of his own policies
What was the impact of khrushchev’s secret speech?
-February 1956
-Launched an attack against Stalin’s repressive rule, showing him as satanic
-Initiated the policy of de-stalinisation
What were the features of de-stalinisation?
-8 million political prisoners released from Gulags
- Erosion of the cult of personality enshrined under Stalin e.g. Stalin’s body removed from the Stalin Mausoleum, all images and pictures of Stalin removed, Stalingrad renamed Volgograd
-Relax in censorship e.g. books published, tourists allowed to travel
-Freedom of employment
What were the aims of Khrushchev?
- Introduce a policy of ‘reform communism’ i.e. aimed to improve living standards through policies which included industrial and agricultural reform as well as give the people of Russia greater freedoms
- Ensure movement away from the cult of personality
What two major changes did Khrushchev plan for the Soviet system of government?
- Democratisation of the Communist party- increase democracy
-Tuition fees abolished
-Pensions were increased
-Party membership consisted of more workers and peasants - Decentralisation of control
-Creation of the Svnarkhozy= regional economic councils
-Transfer power from soviet central government to svnarkhozy
What two major changes did Khrushchev plan for the Soviet system of government?
- Democratisation of the Communist party- increase democracy
-Tuition fees abolished
-Pensions were increased
-Party membership consisted of more workers and peasants - Decentralisation of control
-Creation of the Svnarkhozy= regional economic councils
-Transfer power from soviet central government to svnarkhozy
What evidence suggests that de-stalinisation was a genuine break from the past?
-Talks of ‘peaceful co-existence’ with the USA was a positive change
-‘The Thaw’ i.e. allowance of greater personal freedom, particularly in comparison to Stalin’s previous repressive rule
-Decreasing the gap between the rich and the poor improved the position of the majority in society
-Less repression used e.g. in the face of a coup Khrushchev re-assigned the members of the Anti-Party group to unimportant positions, rather than executing/torturing them
-The fact that Khrushchev was removed by a single vote in itself shows a break from the bloodshed in the past
What evidence suggests that de-stalinisation was not a genuine break from the past?
-Some historians argue that Khrushchev replaced the Cult of Stalin’s Personality with his own cult of personality- total power remained in Khrushchev’s hands
-There was never any discussion of a total democracy taking place- a genuine break= total democracy
-Khrushchev’s handling of the Hungarian uprising- going against ‘liberal’ policies as well as the Novocherkassk riots
-No religious tolerance allowed e.g. Orthodox churches were abolished
JUDGEMENT: Did de-stalinisation represent a genuine break from the past?
-No
-Still elements of repression and no discussion of a total democracy
HOWEVER
-Still significant changes made to people’s personal freedoms, as well attempting to restructure the soviet central government to decrease the gap between the rich and the poor- break from the past is still clear
Q2. How effectively did Khrushchev deal with the challenges posed by the cold war?
What are the two debates about Khrushchev’s handling of the cold war?
He was a ‘courageous failure’ or a ‘courageous success’
-Courageous= policies of de-stalinisation and peaceful co-existence
What evidence shows that he was a ‘courageous success’?
-Supported the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955- indicates that Khrushchev was willing to co-operate with the USA over Austria’s independence
-Gained support from Tito, Yugoslavia’s leader, for handling of the Hungarian uprising
-Gained backing of other socialist states e.g. Poland and Romania
-Berlin Wall prevented the West taking control over Germany
-Handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis tested Kennedy’s diplomatic skills and resulted in a direct ‘hotline’ which strengthened ‘peaceful coexistence’
What evidence shows that he was a ‘courageous failure’?
-Invasion of Hungary did not follow ‘coexistence’ liberal ideals as repression was used (like Stalin would have)- preventing the spread of communism
- Similar idea as the the Berlin Wall i.e. separated many families
-Khrushchev was unable to deal with conflict from Tito, which he tried to do through appeasement. Allowing Tito autonomy led to other states demanding autonomy, which created instability for the Soviet Bloc
-Cuban Missile Crisis led to criticism for Khrushchev who was seen as weak for backing down to the USA
-Unable to maintain positive relations with China, as they claimed they were the real upholders of Lenin-Marxism
JUDGEMENT: Was Khrushchev a courageous failure or a courageous success?
-Majority was a success- reduced tensions with the USA particular at the most important part in the cuban Missile Crisis, preventing a nuclear war
HOWEVER
-Invasion in Hungary suggests these peaceful policies were not always successful and that repression was still used by Khrushchev to spread his communist ideals
Q3. To what extent were the economic and social reforms made by Khrushchev a failure?
AGRICULTURE: What was the Virgin Land Scheme?
-Began in 1954
-Campaign to introduce agriculture to the ‘Virgin Lands’ of Western Siberia and Kazakhstan
What evidence shows that the Virgin Lands Scheme was a success?
-At the beginning, it had cultivated 30 million hectares of land
-1956 harvest produced grain harvest for 50% of the USSR
-Machine Tractor Stations (MTS)= 200,000 new tractors
What evidence shows that the Virgin Lands scheme was a failure?
-After 1959, production= steady decrease
-Much of the land was barely usable e.g. much of land was liable to drought and land became exhausted
-8000 tractors had been abandoned=reduction in workers
-Soil erosion led to problems growing crops like Maize
-Disruption in hay production= meat production suffered
What was the impact of the Sovkhozy?
=State farms
-Peasants were paid a salary rather than owning land collectively
-Improved living conditions
What event showed the scale of discontent against Khrushchev’s agricultural reforms?
-Novocherkassk massacre 1962
-Rising price of meat and dairy products
-26 killed
INDUSTRY: What did Khrushchev set up?
Sovnarkhoz- 105 economic regional councils to coordinate the work of different branches more effectively
HOWEVER
-When Khrushchev was removed from power, the Sovnarkhoz was dismantled so had little long-lasting success
What evidence suggests that Khrushchev improved Russia’s industry?
-New housing built (agro towns) for married couples to live in
-1960-1965 average household income increased by 3%
-Minimum wage introduced in 1956
-Diet of Russians considerably improved
-By 1968= 50% Russians had a TV
-Miles of railway track were electrified
