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Summary Khrushchev’s attempt to reform government and de Stalinisation post Stalin
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Khrushchev’s attempt to reform government and de StalinisationKhrushchev made secret speech at the 20 th party congress, on 25th February 1956 – abolish cut of
individual restore completely the Leninist principles of Soviet socialist democracy, expressed in the
constitution of the Soviet Union.”
What were the three key changes Khrushchev made to the Communist Party?
1. Khrushchev made significant changes to the Communist Parties’ structure. He removed half
of the elected members of the Central Committee in 1952 and replaced with supporters of
Khrushchev. This was important as he also gave significantly more power to the Central
Committee over government and party structures. So, if he had a majority of support in the
increasingly powerful Central Committee, he could pass many laws without much opposition
– consolidating his power.
2. Khrushchev’s second most important change was to decentralise decision-making by giving
more power to regional organisations from central ministers, so the power of party leaders
was reduced. In 1962, Khrushchev divided party into agricultural and industrial departments
which also reduced the power of party officials. This was one of Khrushchev’s main parts of
destalinisation which meant that there would be quite a lot of opposition to his rule. This
broke one of Stalin’s main principles.
3. Khrushchev reduced power of secret police which was important as now that the secret
police were brought under the party, no individual could use it to further their own interests
Reasons for Khrushchev’s downfall, 1964
1. Attempts to reform the Communist party – like destalinisation and also caused Terrible
Harvest due to division of agricultural and industrial departments
2. De-Stalinisation – reforms made bureaucrats from Party uneasy.
3. The Cuban Missile Crisis – global failure – lower officials embarrassed – needed to
strengthen Communism
4. Terrible Harvest 1963
5. Erratic behaviour as leader – unpredictable behaviour which meant he was a loose cannon
and his conduct depended on his mood
In 1964, Central Committee decided to dismiss Khrushchev from his posts – in an attempt to
preserve their power. The fact that Khrushchev could be sacked and retired was a sign of his impact
on the party – a great success. Stalin would have used terror to stay in power yet, Khrushchev did
not use terror and was seen as feebler.
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