1955-1963: Collective leadership in the USSR Flashcards
(16 cards)
When did Stalin die
5th of March 1953
Failures of Stalin’s foreign policies
Italy, Iran, Greece
Berlin blockade
Formation of NATO
Defection of Yugoslavia
Korea
Who were the members of Collective leadership
Beria
Malenkov
Bulganin
Khrushchev
What is the politburo
Organisation of leading members of the communist party
Who were the power struggle between after Stalin’s death
Beria (Head of secret police), Malenkov and Khrushchev
What were Beria’s initiatives
Proposed to reunify a neutral Germany.
Made Ulbricht (East Gr) concerned
E. Berlin uprising in 1953 for unified Gr
What was Beria’s future
Attempted to distance himself from purges
But as head of secret police led to him being accused of a Br agent and then executed
What was Malenkov’s initiatives
Formed collective leadership with Khrushchev and Bulganin
Called ‘New Course’ war between Communism and Capitalism was not inevitable
Believed capitalism would fall by itself
Removed from PM in 1955
Laid foundations of Peaceful Coexistence
What was Peaceful Coexistence
Where USA and USSR would tolerate each other with the USSR having the view that USA would collapse without Soviet intervention.
What was Khrushchev personality
Stubborn and boorish
When did Khrushchev officially become leader of the Soviet Union
March 27th 1958
When was the Secret Speech by Khrushchev
February 1956
What was the Secret Speech by Khrushchev about
Destalinisation where Khrushchev was critical of Stalin’s use of terror, cost of collectivisation and confrontation of the West
Attempt to move away from policies of Stalin such as ending cult of personality
Impact of the Secret Speech by Khrushchev
Encouraged East Eu countries push for change
Encouraged split from Mao
Some improvement in relation with West
Molotov and Malenkov try to force Khrushchev out but failed so retired in June 1957
Social and economic reforms made by Khrushchev
Ended Stalin’s system of terror
Attempt to have better relations with non-communist states
Attempt to improve Soviet economy by de-centralising and streamline agriculture, industry, bureaucracy to improve standards.
Seven year plan in 1959
Thaw in cultural life in USSR
What was Khrushchev foreign policy aims
1955 Warsaw Pact for tighter grip on Easter bloc
Less spending on convention forces, more focus on rocket based defence
Continuous arms race, H-bomb + ICMB
1/3 spent on military
Avoid unnecessarily provoking West
