3.2 De-Stalinization
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Questions and Answers

What was the main focus of the first wave of de-Stalinization?

  • Criticizing Stalin's policies
  • Establishing personal rule
  • Promoting collective leadership
  • Ending the cult of Stalin (correct)

    • Why was criticizing Stalin a huge risk?

  • It risked angering the Party
  • It risked undermining the authority of the Soviet Union and Communism (correct)
  • It risked revealing secret information
  • It risked causing unrest in the Soviet Union

    • When was the Secret Speech delivered?

  • 25 February 1956 (correct)
  • 1 March 1956
  • 14 February 1956
  • 30 January 1956

    • What aspect of Stalin's rule did Khrushchev focus on in his critique?

    <p>The cult of personality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When was the content of the Secret Speech fully published in the Soviet Union?

    <p>1989</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happened in Hungary as a result of de-Stalinization?

    <p>A revolution initiated by students and artists</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two leaders were united in the desire to end important aspects of Stalin's rule?

    <p>Khrushchev and Malenkov</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Khrushchev and Malenkov want to do to 'humanise' Communism?

    <p>End Stalin's use of terror</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were the first steps towards ending the cult of Stalin?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did newspapers start quoting from after Stalin's death?

    <p>Marx and Lenin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the cult of Stalin refer to? Choose the best answer.

    <p>The use of art, photography, books, newspaper articles, and speeches to stress Stalin's genius</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes Khrushchev's response to criticism of Stalin?

    <p>Khrushchev acknowledged the truth about Stalin but believed the Soviet people were not ready to know.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action did Khrushchev secretly authorize in mid-December 1957?

    <p>The establishment of a Special Commission to investigate anti-communist activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the attempted coup against Khrushchev in 1957?

    <p>It showed that the power of the Party leader depended on the support of the Central Committee.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main focus of the Twenty-Second Party Congress in October 1961?

    <p>Economic growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led to Khrushchev's overthrow in June 1964?

    <p>All of the above.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the Cold War, Germany was divided between which two ideologies?

    <p>Communism and capitalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of Khrushchev's ultimatum to President Kennedy regarding West Berlin?

    <p>Kennedy refused and forced Khrushchev to back down</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action did Khrushchev take that led to an international crisis and almost resulted in nuclear war?

    <p>Sending nuclear weapons to Cuba</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Khrushchev's biggest political achievement in terms of de-Stalinization?

    <p>Ending the use of political terror against party officials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one way in which Khrushchev's power differed from Stalin's?

    <p>Khrushchev had to work with other senior figures in the Party</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the reason for Khrushchev's downfall in 1964?

    <p>He lost the support of the Central Committee</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Soviet government do with regards to Stalin's legacy under Brezhnev?

    <p>Continued to celebrate and adulate Stalin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Did Khrushchev achieve complete de-Stalinization?

    <p>No, he failed to achieve de-Stalinization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    De-Stalinization

    • The main focus of the first wave of de-Stalinization was criticizing Stalin's rule and personality cult.
    • Criticizing Stalin was a huge risk due to the potential consequences, including persecution and even death.

    The Secret Speech

    • The Secret Speech was delivered by Khrushchev on February 25, 1956, during the 20th Party Congress.
    • Khrushchev focused on Stalin's brutal suppression of dissent and the resulting harm to the Communist Party.

    De-Stalinization Consequences

    • The content of the Secret Speech was fully published in the Soviet Union in 1989.
    • In Hungary, de-Stalinization led to a popular uprising against the communist government in 1956.

    Khrushchev and Malenkov's Reforms

    • Khrushchev and Malenkov were united in their desire to end important aspects of Stalin's rule, including the cult of personality.
    • They aimed to 'humanize' Communism by reducing the role of the secret police and introducing economic reforms.

    Ending the Cult of Stalin

    • The first steps towards ending the cult of Stalin included removing his body from Lenin's Mausoleum and renaming cities and landmarks named after him.
    • After Stalin's death, newspapers started quoting from Khrushchev's speech, criticizing Stalin's rule.

    The Cult of Stalin

    • The cult of Stalin refers to the excessive promotion and glorification of Stalin's image and personality.

    Khrushchev's Response to Criticism

    • Khrushchev responded to criticism of Stalin by admitting to the mistakes of the past and promising to reform the Communist Party.

    Khrushchev's Actions

    • In mid-December 1957, Khrushchev secretly authorized the removal of Minister of Defense Marshal Zhukov.
    • The attempted coup against Khrushchev in 1957 was a significant challenge to his leadership.

    Twenty-Second Party Congress

    • The main focus of the Twenty-Second Party Congress in October 1961 was the removal of Stalin's body from Lenin's Mausoleum.

    Khrushchev's Overthrow

    • Khrushchev was overthrown in June 1964 due to his increasingly erratic behavior and poor economic policies.

    Cold War Context

    • During the Cold War, Germany was divided between the communist East and the capitalist West.

    Berlin Crisis

    • Khrushchev's ultimatum to President Kennedy regarding West Berlin led to a crisis, and he eventually backed down.
    • Khrushchev's decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba led to an international crisis and almost resulted in nuclear war.

    Khrushchev's Legacy

    • Khrushchev's biggest political achievement in terms of de-Stalinization was the Secret Speech, which marked a significant shift away from Stalin's rule.
    • Khrushchev's power differed from Stalin's in that it was based on collective leadership and not a personality cult.

    Downfall and Legacy

    • Khrushchev's downfall in 1964 was due to his erratic behavior and poor economic policies.
    • Under Brezhnev, the Soviet government largely reversed Khrushchev's de-Stalinization policies, rehabilitating Stalin's legacy.
    • Khrushchev did not achieve complete de-Stalinization, as some aspects of Stalin's rule persisted.

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    Description

    Quiz: The Soviet Union under Khrushchev's Leadership Test your knowledge on the events that unfolded during Khrushchev's leadership in the Soviet Union. From his controversial statements on Stalin to the disciplining of magazine editors, this quiz will challenge your understanding of this pivotal era in Soviet history.

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