Collective Leadership

Question 1

Who was in charge of Soviet foreign policy in the immediate aftermath of Stalin’s death?

Answer 1

Beria

Question 2

How did Beria lose power?

Answer 2

Accused of being a British agent and later executed

Question 3

Who was in charge of Soviet foreign policy after Beria?

Answer 3

Georgi Malenkov

Question 4

What was Malenkov’s policy?

Answer 4

‘New course’
-War between capitalism and communism no longer inevitable
-Resources could be directed away from arms and heavy industry and towards consumer goods and raising living standards in USSR

Question 5

What policy did Khrushchev introduce as an extension on the ‘new course’?

Answer 5

Peaceful Coexistence
-Capitalism and communism should accept the existence of each other, rather than use force to destroy each other
-Believe capitalism would eventually collapse anyway

Question 6

What were four of Khrushchev’s domestic policies?

Answer 6

-De-stalinisation
-Peaceful coexistence
-Strengthen Soviet economy through de-centralising
-A thaw in cultural life in USSR

Question 7

What were four of Khrushchev’s foreign policies?

Answer 7

-Firm grip maintained over Eastern Bloc
-USSR remain unchallenged leaders of socialist community
-Spending on military security reduce
-International tension had to be defused