Depth Studies: Khrushchev

Question 1

What led to Khrushchevs downfall

Answer 1

• the failure of his agricultural policy
• loss of prestige over the Cuban Missile Crisis
• deterioration in relations with china
• decentralisation of government: threatened the position of key members of the bureaucracy
• defence cuts: annoyed military

Question 2

Why were Khrushchevs reforms often seen as poorly thought out

Answer 2

• virgin lands programme: well intended but badly planned (poor quality of land and lack of fertilisers)
• the highly bureaucratic Soviet system was too complicated to allow reforms to be quickly implemented
• Krushchev failed to realise that some communist party members may have felt threatened by his changes
• the reforms were not as radical: coping with challenges left my Stalinist regime

Question 3

How were Krushchev’s reforms successful

Answer 3

• it was only in 1963 that grain production fell: mainly down to poor weather so the weakness of the Virgin Lands scheme may have been exaggerated
• radical changes were made to industrial infrastructure: raised living stands (1955-1966 washing machines per 1000 increased from 1>77)
• Khrushchev had to prioritise political problems- success in ending Stalinist gulags and placing NKVD under control of party and state

Question 4

How was Krushchev successful in dealing with challenges posed by the Cold War

Answer 4

• death of Stalin and end of Korean War and Indo-China war influenced Russian leaders stance on Cold War
• Secret Speech (feb 1956) shows Khrushchev to be taking initiative in attempting to create a more peaceful/secure world
• Khrushchev supported signing the Austrian State Treaty (May 1955): Russia willing to co-operate with West over Austria’s claims for independence
• quick to react to Satellite States demanding more freedom (Hungary 1956 + Budapest rising suppressed): more support from Russian Communist party
• 1961 Khrushchev proposed to Kennedy that West should leave Berlin, Kennedy refused> K supported construction of Berlin Wall: Russia saw it as a bold move to prevent further embarrassment to communist leaders in east Germany
• the handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): initially tested Kennedy’s diplomatic and decision skills before agreeing to relax tensions: compromise resulted in Hot Line telephone link between Moscow and Washington (strengthened Co-existence)

Question 5

How was Khrushchevs approach to the Cold War flawed

Answer 5

• peaceful coexistence viewed by some as a betrayal of ideas: doesn’t spread communism internationally
• Hungary crisis of 1956 seen as a disaster and blamed on de-stalinisation: ruthless suppression of Hungarian protestors seen as poor advertisement for communism
• building of Berlin Wall can also be seen as an oppressive measure: worsened relations with West
• taking Kennedy to the brink during the Cuban Missile Crisis could have provoked a nuclear war + Khrushchev seen as backed down by withdrawing missiles from Cuba

Question 6

How was Khrushchev a “courageous failure” in dealing with minorities, satellite states and Asia

Answer 6

• attempt to resolve conflict with Tito and Yugoslavia through appeasement created instability in Soviet bloc and may have contributed to collapse of communism (1991)
• Hungarian crisis of 1956 1. Using force was Stalinist tactics of dealing with opposition, setback to liberal reforms in Eastern Europe. 2. Communist parties in west lost support, dented communist spread outside of Soviet Union
• construction of Berlin Wall shows Khrushchev was willing to resort to repression when liberal policies failed
• de-stalinisation worsened relations with China: by 1960’s China was claiming to be the real upholders of Marxism-Leninism> caused Communist parties to take sides so divided the movement

Question 7

How was Khrushchev a “courageous success” in dealing with minorities, satellite states and Asia

Answer 7

• Khrushchev managed to gain support from Tito over the Hungarian uprising
• got support from other socialist states (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Bulgaria) as well as China for handling the Hungarian crisis. West also failed to intervene: Khrushchev scored in propaganda
• Khrushchevs stance on Germany prevented the West from taking control of Berlin and Germany
• Mao’s (China) attempt to manipulate the soviets failed: 1958 Soviet Union decline providing China with military support in conflict with Taiwan and USA