Khrushchev's leadership

Question 1

describe changes in policy:

Answer 1

-main two policy aims = democratisation (weakening traditional bureaucracy to give more power to the people) and decentralisation
-police became much less influential in state matters and was reduced in size
-role of local soviets was increased
-economic decentralisation - moved some power from central moscow ministries to provincial authorities
-khrushchev visited towns and villages - first hand contact with the people
-partial revival of independent judicial system
-no more state terror
-revival of comrade courts to handle minor offences

Question 2

describe changes in party organisation:

Answer 2

-membership expanded from 7mil in 1956 to 11 mil in 1964
-decentralisation involved more initiative given to the localities
-party and state governmental institutions became more important in debates and decision making
-return to traditional hierarchy of power within party - smaller institutions directly responsible to their parent bodies
-in 1962 the party was split into urban and rural sections at all levels
-non party members were encouraged to take supervisory roles and some were invited to party congresses