De-Stalinisation

What was De-Stalinisation?

De-Stalinisation was a series of political reforms in the USSR which were introduced after the death of Stalin in 1953.

When did De-Stalinisation happen?

De-Stalinisation took place from 1956 to 1964.

Who introduced De-Stalinisation?

Khrushchev brought in the policy of De-Stalinisation in his 'Secret Speech'.

What did the 'Secret Speech' say about Stalin's government during the period of De-Stalinisation?

Khrushchev's 'Secret Speech' criticised the brutality of Stalin's government and led people to believe Soviet control would be relaxed in eastern Europe.

Why was De-Stalinisation introduced?

There were 3 possible reasons why Khrushchev brought in his policy of De-Stalinisation:

• ❖ To weaken the position of his political rivals inside the USSR's Communist Party.
• ❖ To weaken the secret police and the Gulag system.
• ❖ To help develop peaceful coexistence with the USA, with the idea the USSR would not interfere in America's affairs.

What was the impact of De-Stalinisation on the Cold War?

De-Stalinisation influenced the Cold War in 3 main ways:

• ❖ It was seen as a time when the relationship between the USA and the USSR improved - there was a 'thaw' in the Cold War.
• ❖ When the contents of the 'Secret Speech' reached eastern Europe, people expected the repressive nature of communist-controlled governments would be relaxed.
• ❖ It encouraged rebellions in Hungary and, later, Czechoslovakia.

What actions did De-Stalinisation lead to?

Khrushchev's programme of De-Stalinisation included the following 6 main actions:

• ❖ Cominform was closed down.
• ❖ Soviet troops were withdrawn from Austria, where they had been since 1945.
• ❖ Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia was invited to Moscow.
• ❖ Thousands of political prisoners were released.
• ❖ Stalin's foreign minister, Molotov, was sacked.
• ❖ He seemed to promise greater freedom for the people of eastern Europe.

What were the results of De-Stalinisation in the Eastern Bloc?

De-Stalinisation suggested to many eastern Europeans that they could make changes. There were 3 key results:

• ❖ Polish workers began to riot in 1956 so Khrushchev moved troops to the border. A new communist leader was appointed who agreed to stop persecuting Catholics, and the riots stopped.
• ❖ In the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, the communists forced out the hardline communist leader, Matyas Rakosi, and the people began to riot. A new government started to make changes.
• ❖ The USSR continued to use eastern Europe as a buffer zone against the West. In 1955, Khrushchev created the Warsaw Pact. All Eastern Bloc countries joined, with the exception of Yugoslavia.