Opposition and the Fall of Khrushchev Flashcards
Who were the ‘cultural dissidents?’
Those who used arts to convey political messages.
Why were ‘cultural dissidents’ able to emerge under Krushchev?
There was a return of intellectual and artistic freedom.
What were the ‘cultural dissidents’ under Krushchev committed to?
Democracy, human rights and the rights of nationalities.
What was the aim of tamizdat?
That in publishing banned works abroad, it’s message may reach back to the soviet people through broadcasts.
What was samizdat?
duplicating material by hand: eg. writing out literature by hand or using a type writer.
Who were ‘The Youngest Society of Geniuses?’
A student-group set up in the 1960s producing a journal, The Sphinxes, publishing literature.
Who was Vladimir Mayakovsky?
A poet, scrutinised under Stalin during the 1930s.
When was the monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky unveiled?
29 June 1958.
What happened to those who regularly visited the monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky?
1961- several were arrested and Vladimir Bukovsky lost his place in university due to ‘subversive political activity.’
How many years did Eduard Kuznetsov spend in prison for publishing samizdat?
7 years.
Who was Alexander Ginzburg?
Editor and publisher of a moscow samizdat poetry magazine, Syntaxis.
When was Alexander Ginzburg arrested?
1960
What happened to Alexander Ginzburg after his arrest?
He was sent to labour camps on three occasions between 1961-1969.
Why was Alexander Ginzburg arrested?
for exposing human rights abuses and demanding reforms.
How many writers were identified as leading ‘anti-social, parasitic way of life,’ in 1961?
130,000
What happened to the 130,000 writers arrested in 1961?
Many were sent to labour camps. Other avoided arrest by taking up employment by the state.
What caused Party members to turn against Krushchev in 1957?
A desire to restore Stalinism; many could not forgive him for his attack on Stalin in 1956.
Also a result of his struggle to power.
What happened to Political opposition under Krushchev?
They were demoted rather than shot.
How many appeals from political prisoners had been considered by the government by 1955?
250,000
What percentage of political prisoners had been released by 1955?
4%
How many political prisoners were rehabilitated in 1956?
8-9 million
By 1957, what percentage of soviet prison population was made up of political prisoners?
2%
What happened in Tblisi, 4-10 March 1956?
Violent Nationalist Demonstrations against Krushchev.
Who orchestrated the coup that would bring down Krushchev?
Brezhnev, Nikolai Podgorny & Mikhail Suslov.
What occurred at the Presidium meeting on 13 October 1964?
Krushchev was met with several of his former supporters who voiced their opposition to him.
How did Krushchev react to the opposition on the 13 October 1964?
He refused to resign, but was denied access to the media.
When was Krushchev presented with his resignation paper?
The day after the October Presidium meeting.
Outline the Cuban Missile Crisis
1962: The USA discovered Krushchev was supplying missiles to CUBA and ordered his ships back. When they obeyed, it was seen as a victory for the USA.
What accusations were made against Krushchev’s personal style of rule?
He had a ‘one-man style,’
failed to take advice,
nepotism- advancing his son in law,
embarrassing behavior.
