power vacuum after Stalin's death

Question 1

what indicated Stalin relinquishing power by 1952?

Answer 1

-he was becoming increasingly frail and absent from political life
-he made no effort to choose his successor
-at the 1952 party congress his subordinates delivered the main speeches rather than Stalin
-he requested to be removed from his role as general secretary, but was rejected by the central committee

Question 2

what was the presidium and what did it suggest?

Answer 2

-it was a replacement for the Politburo, and practically combined the Politburo and the Central Committee
-it suggested to the party officials that he was planning another purge, which was false

Question 3

what was the impact of Stalin’s death?

Answer 3

-USSR was politically demoralised, leaving a massive power vacuum and political chaos
-huge public displays of grief
-created an initial leadership struggle between Beria, Malenkov and Molotov

Question 4

why did Stalin’s leadership style and policies cause a power vacuum and leadership struggle?

Answer 4

-his rule involved constant suspicion even of his closest associates
-because of his strong cult of personality he was irreplaceable