New Era of Soviet Russia

Nikita Khrushchev

Death of Stalin

Joseph Stalin died on the 5th March 1953 at the age of 74. It was said that he had suffered a stroke.

New Hope for the West

The western world hoped the death of Stalin would bring about the end of international tension between East and West.

Peaceful Co-existence

Nikita Khrushchev

Born to a Russian Peasant Family.

Was trained as a Joiner and was active in Trade Union activities.

Fought in the Red ArmyIn 1918 became a Party

member

Personality

Boorish (rude and impolite) Interrupting speakers Humiliated people He once describe Mao (leader of Communist

China) as an “old Galosh” translated to “old boot” which means Prostitute or immoral women

He once took of his shoe during an UN General assembly and banged it off the table repeatedly.

Nikita’s Rise to Power

Khrushchev became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Moscow in 1934.

In 1938, he became the 1st Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine.

During WW2, He coordinated the defence of Ukraine and was a political commissar Stalingrad

During the Period 1945-53, he carried out Stalin’s orders without hesitation earning the nickname “Butcher of the Ukraine”.

Divisions within the Party After Stalin’s death, the Party was divided and a

power struggled ensued. Laverntiy Beria was the man with the most

control and power over the Party. He was chief of Soviet Security and secret police under Stalin

Fearing Beria would execute them, his political rivals united against him and imprisoned and executed him.

Khrushchev became leader in September 1953.

De-Stalinization

End of the Cult Personality and Stalinism created by Stalin.

End of Forced LabourFreeing of Gulag prisonersKhrushchev was very critical of Stalin

accusing him of crimes during the Great Purges.

Undisputed Leader

In 1958, Khrushchev replaced Bulganin as prime minister and established himself as the undisputed leader of both state and party. He became Premier of the Soviet Union on March 27, 1958.

Khrushchev’s Policies

Changed the policies of Soviet Defence, less spending on old fashioned methods, more emphasis on Rocket based defence.

Started an Arms Race with the West, development of H-Bombs and ICBMs

Khrushchev created the WARSAW PACT to rival NATO. Response to the increasing number of NATO troops in Germany.

Increased tension

The hope of increased EAST-WEST relations did not materialise.

Instead the period during Khrushchev’s reign would become the most dangerous period of the Cold War.

The threat of all out Nuclear War was a distinct possibility.