The nature of government: Khrushchev Flashcards
What happened to Beria?
He was arrested in June 1953 and shot along with 30 other NKVD officials.
What happened to the NKVD?
It was put under the control of the CPSU and became the KGB. It lost its power to try and sentence prisoners.
How did Khrushchev establish himself?
As a liberal reformist, he used the secret speech as the foundation for his policies, introducing reforms in agriculture, education and industry. He also believed in peaceful coexistence with the west and improving living standards.
How was the justice system reformed?
Large numbers of political prisoners were freed, 6 million were posthumously rehabilitated, trials now had to take place in legal courts and the KGB was subordinated to the central committee.
What happened in February 1956?
Khrushchev made his secret speech in the 20th party conference, he denounced Stalinism, the use of terror and the cult of personality. Stalin’s body was removed from Lenin’s mausoleum.
What was rule 25?
Introduced in October 1961, it limited the time CPSU officials could hold offices to four terms.
What was the reaction to the secret speech?
There were protests in Tbilisi, troops were sent in and 20 were killed. Although Khrushchev was a reformer, he did not want the speech to get out of hand.
How did Khrushchev reform the gulag system?
1956- the penal system was reorganized into colonies permitted to build their own production facilities, dangerous and petty criminals were to be separated and prisoners were to be educated and trained.
What happened in 1961?
Gulags were replaced with four types of colony, common, reinforced, severe and special.
How did decentralization effect government?
It increased the role of economic councils and strengthened the task of gosplan. The rights and responsibilities of regional party secretaries were enhanced and it revised the political and economic role of the party.
