Nikita Khrushchev

Who was Khrushchev?

Nikita Khrushchev led the Soviet Union after Stalin's death up until 1964.

What was Khrushchev's speech?

Khrushchev openly criticised Stalin in his 'Secret Speech' in 1956. Khrushchev began to de-Stalinise the Soviet Union and said he wanted a peaceful co-existence with the West. People hoped this would end the Cold War.

How did tensions increase under Khrushchev?

The Hungarian Uprising managed to increase international tensions as countries in eastern Europe began to realise the USA would not help them.