De-Stalinization (feb 24, 1956 – feb 28, 1960)
Description:
A series of political reforms in the Soviet Union after the death of long-time leader Joseph Stalin in 1953, and the ascension of Nikita Khrushchev to power.
Aimed to:
- Dismantle Stalin’s dictatorship without making the entire Stalinist system collapse and bring chaos to the USSR.
- Improve the efficiency of the Russian economy by decentralizing power + control.
- Strengthen Khrushchev’s position in the party by weakening his opponents.
Effects of De-Stalinisation:
- Large numbers of political prisoners released and some relaxation of censorship
- Not a genuine liberalisation of Soviet Society as it remained a totalitarian state
Added to timeline:
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