(f) Khrushchev's attempts to reform government and de-Stalinisation

What happened when Stalin died in 1953?

A collective leadership was formed by members of the Politburo to prevent the rise of another personal dictatorship.

What was the Politburo renamed in 1952?

The Presidium.

Who were the three main figures in the post-Stalin collective leadership?

Beria, Malenkov and Khrushchev.

Who initially led the collective leadership after Stalin’s death in 1953, and what worried his rivals?

Lavrentiy Beria, head of the secret police, which made other leaders wary.

What actions did Beria take after Stalin’s death, and what was the outcome?

He reduced the use of terror, but in June 1953 he was arrested, accused of being a British spy, and executed—an illegal act justified as restoring “socialist legality.”

What was the Amnesty in 1953?

An amnesty was issued on 27 March 1953, which released a million prisoners, mainly criminals on short sentences, from labour camps.

What was the doctors plot?

The Doctors' Plot was denounced as false and the Kremlin doctors arrested by Stalin were released. Despite these developments, Malenkov and Khrushchev feared the man who controlled the apparatus of terror.

What position did Khrushchev assume in September after Stalin’s death?

First Secretary of the Communist Party (replacing the title of General Secretary).

How did Khrushchev consolidate power by 1956?

He placed allies in the presidium, reshaped the Central Committee by removing almost half of the 1952 members, and replaced them with his supporters.

What major event did Khrushchev use in 1956 to criticise Stalin?

The Twentieth Party Congress.

What were the main criticisms Khrushchev made against Stalin?

Cult of personality, tyranny, unnecessary terror, and economic mistakes.

What was Khrushchev’s stated goal for the Soviet system after Stalin?

To rejuvenate the system by returning to the legality of Leninism.

What organisational changes occurred under de-Stalinisation?

Regular meetings of the Presidium and Central Committee resumed; decision-making was decentralised to give more power to regional organisations

How did de-Stalinisation affect Party and government officials?

They no longer faced prison for failing to meet targets.

What changes occurred regarding the secret police?

Brought under firm Party control; could no longer be used by individuals for personal gain; lost control over labour camps.

How many political prisoners were released between 1953 and 1960?

Two million, although the process was slow and by 1955 only 4% of appeals for political release were granted

Did fear completely disappear under de-Stalinisation?

No; heavy punishments remained for corruption, and criticism outside Party limits could result in internal exile or psychiatric confinement.

What reform threatened Party leaders’ power under Khrushchev?

Powers were transferred from central ministries to regional councils.

What was the “Anti-Party Group” of 1957?

A group led by Malenkov and Molotov that tried to remove Khrushchev by persuading the Presidium to ask for his resignation.

How did Khrushchev counter the 1957 attempt to remove him?

He insisted the Central Committee, which had appointed him, had the authority to dismiss him; the packed Central Committee rejected the move.

How did Khrushchev deal with his rivals after the failed 1957 plot?

They were not arrested or executed; Molotov became ambassador to Mongolia and Malenkov was put in charge of electricity.

When did Khrushchev further consolidate power, and what positions did he hold?

In March 1958, he became both First Secretary and Prime Minister, heading Party and government.

How did Khrushchev differ from Stalin?

He was not the powerful dictator like Stalin- Khrushchev's power was subject to the authority of the Central Committee, and debate inside the Party was common.

What event in 1961 marked Khrushchev’s continued push for de-Stalinisation?

The Twenty-Second Party Congress, where Stalin’s body was removed from Lenin’s mausoleum and there was a major purge of local Party secretaries.

How did Khrushchev reorganise the Party in 1962?

He divided the Party into agricultural and industrial departments, reducing the power of Party officials

What limit did Khrushchev introduce for Party officials’ tenure?

Officials could serve in-post for a maximum of three years.

What was the political impact of Khrushchev’s reforms on Party officials?

The reforms threatened their power and privileges, creating resentment that contributed to Khrushchev’s eventual downfall.

What were the main reasons for Khrushchev’s unpopularity by 1964?

Economic mistakes, the humiliating back-down during the Cuban Missile Crisis, erratic and unpredictable behavior, and failures in agricultural policy, including the disastrous 1963 harvest.

Give an example of Khrushchev’s erratic behavior on the international stage.

In 1960, he banged his shoe on a desk during a debate at the United Nations

How was Khrushchev removed from power?

The Central Committee dismissed him from his posts in 1964 due to unease among bureaucrats over his reforms and policies.

What does Khrushchev’s removal without execution indicate?

It shows the impact of his reforms and the change in Party culture—unlike under Stalin, Party leaders could remove a leader without resorting to execution.