Political authority and government: Khrushchev's rise to power; policies and ideology; de-Stalinisation; political and party change
After Stalin died in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev outmanoeuvred his rivals to take control of the Soviet Union. He then tried to reform the system by publicly rejecting Stalin's brutal methods — a process called de-Stalinisation.
Real World
Khrushchev's 1956 'Secret Speech' to the 20th Party Congress — where he denounced Stalin's purges and cult of personality before a closed audience of senior communists — triggered shock waves across the Eastern Bloc, directly contributing to the Hungarian Uprising later that year.
Exam Focus
When explaining de-Stalinisation, distinguish between political reform (party changes, releasing prisoners) and its unintended consequences (Eastern Bloc unrest).
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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