Nikita Khrushchev

beginning of Khrushchev

• Stalin death 1953: power vacuum with no clear successor

• after 1953 the politburo decided on collective leadership: Nikita Khrushchev began to emerge as the dominant leader.

• Beria (sadist and rapist) and was executed in 1953 due to his notorious cruelty and potential threat. If he had risen to power, he probably would’ve been a second Stalin or worse.

• In 1956 Khrushchev denounce Stalin's crimes in a secret meeting that was quickly leaked (by CIA). Started the De-Stalinization process, Stalin=bad, therefore we de-stalinized.

Khrushchev consolidation of power

• Political manoeuvring: Overpowered political rivals like Malenkov, Molotov and Kaganovich.

• Foreign Policy shift: Advocated for peaceful coexistence with the west (to avoid war) leading with temporary relaxation

• 1957 anti-party group: defeated a coup attempt by hardliners within the party, solidifying his control.

• 1958 premier position: took over as premier, consolidating his positions as supreme leader of the Soviet Union

Khrushchev domestic policies

• De-stalinazation: reduced the KGB power and liberalized cultural and intellectual life as part of ongoing political reform

• virgin lands campaign: boost agricultural production by developing unused land in Kazakhstan and Siberia

• housing program: construction of millions of khrushchyovka, basic and affordable flats to tackle housing stages.

• economic reforms: the Sovnarkhoz system decentralised economic planning, granting more power to regional authorities.