New Approaches by the US and USSR Post-Stalin Flashcards
When did Khrushchev make his secret speech? Where was this?
Khrushchev made a secret speech on 25 February 1956, condemning Stalin at the 20th Party Congress, and claiming he wanted to break the Stalin cult.
What did Khrushchev have to say of the purges committed by Stalin within the Politburo?
He described the murder of one of his closest aides Kirov on his behest, and how he held trials for his murder, killing Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Rykov. 98 of 139 in the Central Committee were shot between 1937-38.
Who did Stalin consider himself an ally of? What did he assume the Germans would not do despite warning?
How did he consider himself in his autobiography? Who advised against him?
He was an ally of Hitler and claimed invasion was due to poor discipline of the Germans, and didn’t believe they’d invade despite Churchill and Sir Stafford Cripp’s warnings, (British Ambassador in Moscow). He also considered himself shy and modest in his autobiography; he was nationalist and antisemitic and Lenin had advised against him being general secretary. The information would have to be leaked to the public SLOWLY.
Who gained power when Stalin died?
What was Malenkov’s New Course?
With Stalin’s death, power fell into the hands of Bulganin, Malenkov, and Khrushchev.
Malenkov had decided on a ‘New Course,’ to reduce confrontation as capitalism in the West would inevitably collapse, instead focusing on moving away from arms and heavy industry to consumer goods to improve living standards. The nuclear wave made it risky to develop weapons, safe confrontation had to be used!
Who disliked the New Course? What did he introduce to counter this?
The New Course was criticised by Khrushchev who would develop Peaceful Coexistence as Malenkov was ousted as prime minister by 1955. Khrushchev decided that de-Stalinisation would be an important part of peaceful coexistence, alongside deciding that military and economic pressures made confrontation with the west too expensive.
Who was Beria? What liberal attitudes did he show?
Beria was chief of secret police from 1938-53 and was predatory towards women. However, he had helped free one million from labour camps and it is suggested he would introduce more liberal forms if he was Stalin’s successor.
Summarise the Austrian State Treaty…
After the war, Austria was divided, with the USSR using their East side for strategic reasons, as a source of economic resource, while the USA pumped Marshall Aid into the West. By 1954, Khrushchev decided neutrality was better than permanent division. In 1955 the Austrian State Treaty was signed, guaranteeing their neutrality with both countries withdrawing their armed forces from Austria in return for neutrality. Influence was reduced.
Summarise Finland’s withdrawal.
In 1944 the armistice was signed and the Finnish-Soviet Peace Treaty agreed on the following terms: £300m in reparations; areas of the Finland coast to USSR; 50 year lease on Porkkala. This was signed in 1947. By 1955, Khrushchev won at the meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, deciding Porkkala was of no strategic significance and it was pointless ruling in a non-communist country. Finland got porkkala back and a more neutral position was followed. However, the USSR still asserted some influence, withdrawing a candidate for the Finland presidency.
When did Eisenhower become president? What was he under pressure to accomplish?
Eisenhower became president in 1952. President Truman was criticised for being too soft on Communists, though a harder approach was followed by Truman with NSC 68. Eisenhower, a general of the Second World War, was expected to be harsher.
What was massive retaliation?
He was to introduce the idea of massive retaliation through building up the US nuclear arsenal, as recommended by John Foster Dulles. The USSR would be put off attacking US interests as they would face nuclear attack. However, defence experts considered this not to be massive retaliation, but nuclear annihilation.
What was the New Look?
Eisenhower’s New Look would look back at nuclear weapons, and use this to roll Communism back. Dulles considered liberation of Eastern Europe, or sending Chiang Kai Shek back to mainland China to remove the Communists. Brinkmanship would have to be needed.
What was brinkmanship?
Brinkmanship was the idea put forward by Dulles, Secretary of State, to go to the brink of war without fear, leading either to nuclear annihilation or a game of bluff.
