Stalin vs Khrushchev Flashcards
What was Stalin’s approach to political control?
Highly centralized; all decisions made by Stalin personally; purges eliminated rivals (up to 70% of Central Committee purged)
How did Khrushchev’s political control differ from Stalin’s?
Reduced terror; power somewhat decentralized; local governments gained limited autonomy; introduced ‘Rule 25’ limiting officials’ tenure
What was the use of terror under Stalin?
Extensive use of purges, show trials, and executions to maintain control (Great Terror 1936–38)
How did Khrushchev’s use of terror change?
Dramatic reduction in terror; condemned Stalin’s purges in 1956 ‘Secret Speech’
What characterized Stalin’s cult of personality?
Cult of personality built around Stalin; leader worship enforced
What was Khrushchev’s stance on Stalin’s cult of personality?
Attempted to dismantle Stalin’s cult; ironically faced accusations of building his own personality cult
What was Stalin’s economic policy focus?
Focus on rapid industrialization and collectivization via Five-Year Plans; heavy industry prioritized over consumer goods
What economic changes did Khrushchev implement?
Shifted focus to agriculture (Virgin Lands campaign) and consumer goods; aimed to improve living standards; introduced Seven-Year Plan
What was Stalin’s foreign policy approach?
Aggressive, confrontational stance toward the West; expansionist policies; Cold War origins
How did Khrushchev’s foreign policy differ?
Advocated ‘peaceful coexistence’ with capitalist countries; sought to reduce Cold War tensions (e.g., Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 1963)
What was Stalin’s governance style?
Authoritarian, secretive, and repressive; decisions imposed top-down
How did Khrushchev’s governance style change?
More consultative within a narrow elite; resumed regular Presidium and Central Committee meetings; tolerated some debate
What characterized Stalin’s cultural policy?
Strict socialist realism; censorship and repression of dissent
What changes did Khrushchev make to cultural policy?
Relaxed censorship; promoted scientific and cultural development; allowed more freedom of expression
What was Stalin’s leadership style?
Cult of personality, authoritarian
How did Khrushchev’s leadership style differ?
Critique of Stalin, limited collective leadership
What was a similarity in party control between Stalin and Khrushchev?
Both filled key positions with supporters; Stalin used purges to eliminate rivals while Khrushchev limited purges and political repression
How did centralized authority compare between Stalin and Khrushchev?
Stalin maintained absolute, top-down decision-making; Khrushchev maintained centralized control with some limited decentralization
What was the extent of political repression under Stalin?
Extensive use of terror, purges, and show trials
How did political repression under Khrushchev change?
Reduced terror but continued administrative repression and suppression of dissent
What was the nature of the cult of personality for Stalin?
Cult of personality built around Stalin
How did Khrushchev address the cult of personality?
Denounced Stalin’s cult but cultivated his own leadership image
What was Stalin’s focus in industrial and technological policy?
Prioritized heavy industry, rapid industrialization, and nuclear weapons development
What was Khrushchev’s focus in industrial and technological policy?
Continued focus on nuclear arms race, space race, and modernization efforts
