Depth studies info for K

Question 1

Describe the situation in the Soviet Union in 1953 regarding military spending and its impact on the economy.

Answer 1

Stalin had focused spending on the military, leading to a lower standard of living compared to the West. Khrushchev aimed to improve the quality of life for ordinary workers by reducing military spending from 12.1% in 1955 to 9.1% by 1958, which correlated with a reduction in economic growth.

Question 2

Explain the goals of Khrushchev’s 7-Year Plan for light industry introduced in 1959.

Answer 2

The 7-Year Plan aimed to boost agricultural production of consumer goods through investment, with a focus on increasing chemical production to enhance fertilizer production and crop yields, reflecting a shift away from heavy industry.

Question 3

How did Khrushchev’s policies aim to improve the standard of living in the USSR?

Answer 3

Khrushchev’s policies focused on increasing the production of consumer goods and fertilizers, aiming for high rates of continuous economic growth and improved living standards for ordinary citizens.

Question 4

Define the intended outcomes of Khrushchev’s economic policies by 1980.

Answer 4

Khrushchev intended to win the space race, overtake the US economy by 1970, establish communism as the preferred economic structure by 1980, and achieve high rates of continuous economic growth.

Question 5

What were the results of the Virgin Land Scheme under Khrushchev?

Answer 5

The Virgin Land Scheme aimed for full employment and increased agricultural production, but while consumer goods production rose by 60% between 1959 and 1965, it fell short of Khrushchev’s goals.

Question 6

Describe the problems faced by the 7-Year Plan after its implementation.

Answer 6

The 7-Year Plan faced issues due to the Sovnarkhoz reforms in February 1957, which decentralized power and disrupted central coordination, leading to unclear responsibilities and economic growth challenges.

Question 7

Explain the impact of Khrushchev’s centralization efforts from 1958 to 1964.

Answer 7

Khrushchev’s centralization efforts aimed to address the issues created by the Sovnarkhoz reforms, but they resulted in unclear responsibilities among economic bodies and further complications in implementing the 7-Year Plan.

Question 8

How did Khrushchev’s leadership style differ from his predecessors after Stalin’s death?

Answer 8

Khrushchev’s leadership was characterized by a focus on collective leadership and a power base within the Party, contrasting with the more centralized control of his predecessors.

Question 9

What reforms did Beria propose during the power struggle after Stalin’s death?

Answer 9

Beria proposed a reform program that included amnesty for about 1 million prisoners, dismantling the gulags, reversing Russification policies, and accepting a unified, neutral non-communist Germany.

Question 10

Describe the division of the Communist Party under Khrushchev in February 1962.

Answer 10

In February 1962, Khrushchev divided the Communist Party into two factions, one focused on agriculture and the other on industry, which was unpopular and contributed to internal party conflicts.

Question 11

Describe the significance of the rising in East Berlin in relation to Beria and Khrushchev.

Answer 11

The rising in East Berlin led to Beria being blamed, which helped Khrushchev gain support for Beria’s removal from power.

Question 12

Explain Malenkov’s New Course and its intended impact on consumer goods and agriculture.

Answer 12

Malenkov’s New Course aimed to expand the output of consumer goods faster than heavy industry, halving agricultural taxes, raising prices for produce, and increasing the size of private plots, which were popular with peasants.

Question 13

How did the poor harvest of 1953 affect Malenkov’s position as Prime Minister?

Answer 13

The poor harvest in 1953 led to Malenkov being blamed for agricultural failures, which contributed to Khrushchev’s resentment towards him.

Question 14

What was the Virgin Lands campaign and who launched it?

Answer 14

The Virgin Lands campaign was launched by Khrushchev in 1954, aiming to cultivate previously unused land in Kazakhstan and Siberia, and it received support from the Party.

Question 15

Define De-Stalinisation and its initial steps taken by Khrushchev.

Answer 15

De-Stalinisation was a process initiated by Khrushchev to address and reform the policies and practices associated with Stalin’s rule, starting with a commission to investigate Stalin’s activities and the release of a report on political arrests.

Question 16

Explain the motives behind Khrushchev’s proposal for a commission to investigate Stalin’s activities.

Answer 16

Khrushchev’s motives included a moral conscience, the belief that revealing the truth would restore Party faith and unity, liberating officials from fear of repression, and undermining rivals for leadership.

Question 17

What were the main themes of Khrushchev’s Secret Speech?

Answer 17

Khrushchev’s Secret Speech criticized Stalin’s cult of personality, highlighted the purges and their impact on loyal party members, and denounced mass deportations and the use of torture.

Question 18

Describe the immediate consequences of Khrushchev’s Secret Speech on the Party and society.

Answer 18

The Secret Speech caused confusion within the Party, led to students tearing down Stalin’s portraits, public condemnation of Stalin, and the rehabilitation of 617,000 political prisoners in the following ten months.

Question 19

What was the Hungarian Uprising and how did Khrushchev respond to it?

Answer 19

The Hungarian Uprising occurred when the Hungarian PM denounced the Warsaw Pact and declared neutrality; Khrushchev decided to crush the uprising, resulting in 20,000 casualties.

Question 20

How did Mao view Khrushchev after the Secret Speech and the events in Hungary?

Answer 20

Mao denounced Khrushchev as a revisionist following the Secret Speech and the handling of the Hungarian Uprising.

Question 21

What challenges did Khrushchev face from within the Party after his Secret Speech?

Answer 21

Khrushchev faced opposition from an anti-party group, which was angered by the abolition of central economic ministries and the undermining of the credibility and unity of the international communist movement.

Question 22

How did Khrushchev manage to retain his position after being outvoted in June 1957?

Answer 22

After being outvoted in June 1957, Khrushchev appealed to the Central Committee, which ultimately elected him, allowing him to maintain his leadership.

Question 23

Describe the main focus of Khrushchev’s economic policies.

Answer 23

Khrushchev’s economic policies focused on consumer goods and raising the standard of living.

Question 24

Explain the assessment Khrushchev made regarding Soviet agriculture.

Answer 24

Khrushchev assessed that productivity was too low, livestock numbers were unfavourable compared to 1928, and farmers’ incomes were too low due to low state procurement prices and high taxes on private plots.

Question 25

How did Khrushchev address the issues in agriculture during his leadership?

Answer 25

Khrushchev raised procurement prices, cut taxes, increased investment in agriculture, and reduced costs to collective farms.

Question 26

Define the Virgin Lands campaign and its objectives.

Answer 26

The Virgin Lands campaign was a massive operation aimed at ploughing up vast tracts of virgin and fallow land in Kazakhstan, the Urals, and Siberia for grain cultivation.

Question 27

What was the scale of the Virgin Lands campaign in terms of land cultivated by 1956?

Answer 27

By 1956, the Virgin Lands campaign had cultivated 35.9 million acres, an area equal to the total cultivated area of Canada.

Question 28

Explain the challenges faced during the Virgin Lands campaign.

Answer 28

The challenges included primitive conditions, harsh climate, a military-style operation with emphasis on speed, and a lack of listening to advice.

Question 29

What was the outcome of the 1956 harvest in the context of the Virgin Lands campaign?

Answer 29

The 1956 harvest was announced as a great victory, producing over half of the 125 million tons of grain from the new regions, marking the largest harvest in Soviet history up to that point.

Question 30

Discuss the long-term effects of the Virgin Lands campaign on soil fertility.

Answer 30

The reliance on single-crop cultivation and failure to adopt anti-erosion measures led to soil fertility issues, with millions of tons of topsoil blowing away, affecting 13,000 square miles of land by 1960.

Question 31

What was the state of the grain harvest by 1963 in the Virgin Lands?

Answer 31

By 1963, the grain harvest from the Virgin Lands was disastrous, producing the smallest crop for years.

Question 32

How did Khrushchev's claims about meat output compare to reality?

Answer 32

Khrushchev claimed that the USSR would catch up with the USA in per capita meat output by 1960, requiring a threefold increase, which was unrealistic.

Question 33

Describe the Seven-Year Plan introduced by Khrushchev.

Answer 33

The Seven-Year Plan, covering 1959-65, aimed for rapid expansion of the chemical industry, large investments in oil and natural gas, and a focus on investment in areas east of the Urals.

Question 34

What were the results of Khrushchev's industrial policies by 1961?

Answer 34

By 1961, there was impressive overall industrial progress and a major increase in consumer goods.

Question 35

Identify the financial challenges faced by Khrushchev's government during his leadership.

Answer 35

The soaring expenses of the space and missile programme, along with increased military expenditure, placed a heavy strain on scarce skills and specialist equipment.

Question 36

Describe the significance of the space program under Khrushchev.

Answer 36

The space program under Khrushchev was significant as it marked the USSR's lead in space research and exploration, highlighted by the successful launch of Sputnik in 1957 and Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man in space in 1961, which boosted Soviet prestige and led to an overestimation of Soviet progress by the outside world.

Question 37

Explain the political motives behind Khrushchev's reorganization of the economy.

Answer 37

Khrushchev's reorganization aimed to reduce waste and bring decision-making closer to production points, shifting power from central ministries to republican governments, thereby strengthening the Party's control and increasing his own influence.

Question 38

How did Khrushchev's economic reforms impact the structure of governance in the USSR?

Answer 38

Khrushchev's economic reforms led to the transfer of about 11,000 enterprises from central to republican control between 1954 and 1955, the placement of factories under republican jurisdiction in 1956, and the establishment of 105 regional economic councils in 1957, which ultimately challenged the central command structure.

Question 39

Define the changes in consumerism and social conditions during Khrushchev's leadership.

Answer 39

During Khrushchev's leadership, there was a prioritization of consumerism, with increased availability of household appliances like fridges and TVs, a significant rise in meat consumption, and a reduction in class differences and wage differentials.

Question 40

What was the New Party Programme of 1961 and its main objectives?

Answer 40

The New Party Programme of 1961 aimed to associate the Communist Party with a new stage of development, emphasizing accountability, limits on terms served, and the vision of a complete communist society by 1980, despite being criticized as wishful thinking.

Question 41

Discuss the claims made in the New Party Programme regarding economic and social goals.

Answer 41

The New Party Programme claimed that by 1970 there would be no housing shortage, the USSR would surpass the US in per capita production, and real income per head would increase by more than 250% by 1980, but these claims were made without evidence.

Question 42

How did Khrushchev's policies affect the standard of living in the USSR?

Answer 42

Khrushchev's policies aimed to improve the standard of living by increasing consumer goods availability, enhancing housing conditions, and raising the minimum wage sharply in 1956, contributing to a more consumer-oriented society.

Question 43

Explain the impact of Khrushchev's devolution of powers on the Communist Party.

Answer 43

Khrushchev's devolution of powers to republican governments strengthened the Communist Party's control over the economy and governance, reducing the dominance of central ministries and increasing his own power within the Party.

Question 44

Describe the cultural changes that occurred during Khrushchev's era.

Answer 44

Cultural changes during Khrushchev's era included a focus on consumerism, greater freedom to change jobs, and a comparison of Soviet material achievements with those of the United States, reflecting a shift towards a more consumer-oriented society.

Question 45

What were the consequences of Khrushchev's regional economic councils?

Answer 45

The establishment of regional economic councils aimed to decentralize economic control but ultimately led to challenges against Khrushchev's leadership, resulting in their abolition shortly after he was ousted.

Question 46

Describe the pension scheme introduced for the elderly, disabled, and sick.

Answer 46

The pension scheme was designed to provide financial support to the elderly, disabled, and sick individuals, ensuring they had a safety net.

Question 47

Explain the significance of the year 1964 in relation to collective farmers.

Answer 47

In 1964, comprehensive cover was extended to collective farmers, indicating a broader social safety net for agricultural workers.

Question 48

Define the impact of the seven-hour workday introduced in 1960.

Answer 48

The introduction of the seven-hour workday in 1960 aimed to improve workers' quality of life by reducing working hours while maintaining productivity.

Question 49

How did the housing program launched in 1957 aim to address shortages?

Answer 49

The housing program launched in 1957 aimed to eliminate housing shortages within 10-12 years, resulting in significant construction and relocation of millions into new apartments.

Question 50

Explain the changes in housing conditions from 1956 to 1965.

Answer 50

During this period, housing construction almost doubled, with 108 million people moving into new apartments, improving living conditions significantly.

Question 51

Describe the changes in education during Khrushchev's time in office.

Answer 51

The number of individuals in higher education almost tripled, and fees for senior secondary and tertiary education were abolished in 1958.

Question 52

What was the plan regarding work experience for higher education entry, and what happened to it?

Answer 52

The plan to make entry to higher education conditional on two years of work experience was never fully implemented and was quickly dropped after Khrushchev was ousted.

Question 53

Explain the campaign against religion initiated by Khrushchev.

Answer 53

Khrushchev sought to revive Lenin's spirit of Party activism and militant atheism, leading to increased anti-religious propaganda and the closure of many churches and monasteries.

Question 54

What was the outcome of the anti-religious campaign from 1959 to 1964?

Answer 54

During this period, three-quarters of all Christian churches and monasteries were closed down.

Question 55

Describe the cultural changes regarding literature during Khrushchev's leadership.

Answer 55

Writers who had been banned were rehabilitated, and works critical of Stalin became acceptable, although those denouncing the Party or Soviet life remained off-limits.

Question 56

What happened to Vasily Grossman's manuscript 'Life and Fate'?

Answer 56

Vasily Grossman's manuscript was confiscated by KGB officers in 1961, and the book was not published in the West until 1980 and in the USSR until 1988.

Question 57

How did Khrushchev's preferences influence the literary scene?

Answer 57

Khrushchev favored works that challenged hardliners but had a dislike for modern art, shaping the cultural landscape of the time.

Question 58

Describe the events of the Novocherkassk uprising in June 1962.

Answer 58

The Novocherkassk uprising occurred in response to rising food prices and wage cuts, leading to the occupation of Party headquarters and a violent military response.

Question 59

What was the estimated participation in mass disorders between 1953 and 1964?

Answer 59

It is estimated that 500,000 Soviet citizens participated in various forms of mass disorders, disturbances, demonstrations, and strikes during this period.

Question 60

How did authorities respond to the dissent following the Novocherkassk uprising?

Answer 60

After the uprising, authorities took greater care to prevent unrest, leading to a decline in the frequency and scale of protests.

Question 61

What were the concerns regarding working-class grievances during Khrushchev's leadership?

Answer 61

Working-class grievances were particularly concerning, prompting the need to raise living standards through increased consumer goods and lower food prices.

Question 62

Explain the differences in grievances between the working class and the intelligentsia.

Answer 62

Working-class grievances were primarily economic, while those of the intelligentsia were more political and less easily addressed through material means.

Question 63

What methods were used to deal with dissenters in the 1960s?

Answer 63

Methods included the forced commitment of dissenters to psychiatric hospitals, reflecting a new layer of social control.

Question 64

Describe the expansion of poetry readings in Moscow during this period.

Answer 64

Poetry readings in Moscow expanded to include controversial issues, reflecting a growing cultural dissidence.

Question 65

Describe the factors that contributed to Khrushchev's downfall in 1964.

Answer 65

Khrushchev was seen as unpredictable and explosive, often insulting colleagues. His arrogance was a main charge against him, and his handling of the Cuban missile crisis, which ended with the USSR being humbled, further damaged his reputation. Additionally, agricultural failures, such as a grain harvest far below targets, and his high turnover of officials contributed to his downfall.

Question 66

Explain the significance of the Cuban missile crisis in relation to Khrushchev's leadership.

Answer 66

The Cuban missile crisis was significant as it demonstrated Khrushchev's determination to show the USSR's capability to defend its interests. However, the crisis ended with the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, leading to a perception of humiliation for the USSR and placing the blame solely on Khrushchev.

Question 67

How did agricultural failures impact Khrushchev's leadership?

Answer 67

Agricultural failures, particularly the 1963 grain harvest of only 107 million tonnes compared to the planned target of 170-180 million tonnes, led to the USSR having to buy grain from the West using precious gold and currency, which was seen as a humiliation and undermined Khrushchev's credibility.

Question 68

Define the changes in the political landscape of the USSR by 1964 under Khrushchev.

Answer 68

By 1964, the political landscape of the USSR had changed significantly with the ending of mass terror and a reduction in coercion, as evidenced by the drop in the number of people in gulags from 540,000 in 1953 to 9,500 in 1956. There was also a general improvement in the standard of living.

Question 69

What were the effects of Khrushchev's reorganizations on the Soviet bureaucracy?

Answer 69

Khrushchev's reorganizations led to a high turnover of officials, with more than two-thirds of the Council of Ministers, Presidium, and Party Secretaries replaced between 1958-61. He limited the number of times officials could be re-elected to the same office and created parallel hierarchies for agriculture and industry.

Question 70

Explain the social conditions in the USSR by 1964, particularly regarding women.

Answer 70

By 1964, women in the USSR bore the burdens of society, with the country having the highest rate of female employment in the world. Women shouldered domestic responsibilities while also contributing to the workforce, reflecting a significant social dynamic.

Question 71

Describe the impact of Cold War propaganda on Soviet society during Khrushchev's leadership.

Answer 71

Cold War propaganda during Khrushchev's leadership encouraged patriotism and conformity among the Soviet populace, contributing to a sense of national pride despite the underlying social and economic issues.

Question 72

How did Khrushchev's policies affect technical innovation in the USSR?

Answer 72

Khrushchev's policies led to slow technical innovation because new equipment often disrupted production lines, and any reduction in output would decrease workers' pay. Only military and space technology kept up with international standards.

Question 73

What was the state of education in the USSR by 1964, and how did it affect the populace?

Answer 73

By 1964, education in the USSR was good for producing highly qualified individuals, but it also created opportunities for these individuals to challenge the entire system, indicating a potential source of dissent.

Question 74

Explain the demographic changes in Russian villages during Khrushchev's leadership.

Answer 74

During Khrushchev's leadership, many young people sought opportunities to leave Russian villages, leading to a demographic shift where villages became predominantly inhabited by women and elderly men, reflecting a decline in rural populations.