The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 4 Khrushchev and attempts to…

The idea

De-Stalinisation was accelerated by Khrushchev's 'Secret Speech' to the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956, denouncing Stalin's crimes and the cult of personality. While mass terror had already been curbed following Stalin's death in 1953, the speech condemned these practices and accelerated the release of Gulag prisoners. It aimed to legitimise Khrushchev's leadership and revive party norms. However, it provoked resistance. In 1957, Molotov and others formed an 'anti-party group' to remove Khrushchev. He defeated them using the Central Committee, which he had packed with supporters. They were removed from the Presidium, though not expelled until 1961. This shows de-Stalinisation was limited and contested, preserving one-party rule.

What earns the marks

• Explains that the Secret Speech at the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956 condemned Stalin's use of terror, the cult of personality and his violations of party norms.
• Analyses the consequences of the speech: it accelerated the release of Gulag prisoners and encouraged hopes of reform, while mass terror had already been curtailed since 1953.
• Explains the motives behind the speech: Khrushchev sought to discredit rivals, legitimise his own leadership, and restore 'Leninist' collective leadership.
• Describes the resistance in the party, including the 'anti-party group' involving Molotov, who attempted to remove Khrushchev in June 1957.
• Explains how Khrushchev defeated the group using his control of the Central Committee to outvote them, leading to their removal from the Presidium.
• Evaluates the extent of de-Stalinisation: it was a partial and contested process, as Khrushchev did not introduce democracy or end one-party rule.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that the 1956 Secret Speech ended mass terror.

  Put it right: Mass terror had already been largely curtailed following Stalin's death in 1953; the speech condemned it and accelerated rehabilitations.

• Treating the Secret Speech as a public speech to all citizens.

  Put it right: It was delivered to a closed session of the Twentieth Party Congress and later read to party meetings.

• Claiming that Molotov and the 'anti-party group' succeeded in removing Khrushchev in 1957.

  Put it right: They failed; Khrushchev used the Central Committee to defeat them.

Exam tips

• When discussing the Secret Speech, link its content to its political purpose: Khrushchev aimed to discredit Stalin and his rivals, not to democratise the USSR.
• For resistance, use the 1957 'anti-party group' (including Molotov) as a concrete example, and explain how Khrushchev's control of the Central Committee allowed him to survive.