Nikita Khrushchev

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Nikita Khrushchev 1961.jpg Khrushchev in 1961

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev (Russian: Никита Сергеевич Хрущёв

15 April 1894 – 11 September 1971) was a Soviet statesman who led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers (or Premier) from 1958 to 1964. Khrushchev was responsible for the de-Stalinization of the Soviet Union, for backing the progress of the early Soviet space program, and for several relatively liberal reforms in areas of domestic policy.

Early Life and Career

Khrushchev was born in the village of Kalinovka in the Russian Empire. He worked as a metalworker during his youth and joined the Bolsheviks in 1918. During the Russian Civil War, he served in the Red Army. After the war, he worked his way up the Soviet hierarchy, becoming a close associate of Joseph Stalin.

Rise to Power

After Stalin's death in 1953, Khrushchev eventually emerged as the new leader of the Soviet Union. He became the First Secretary of the Communist Party, a position that gave him significant control over the party and the state. His rise to power was marked by a power struggle with other Soviet leaders, including Lavrentiy Beria and Georgy Malenkov.

De-Stalinization and Reforms

Khrushchev is best known for his efforts to de-Stalinize the Soviet Union. In his "Secret Speech" at the 20th Party Congress in 1956, he denounced Stalin's purges and cult of personality. This speech led to a period of political and cultural liberalization known as the Khrushchev Thaw. He also implemented several economic reforms, including the decentralization of agricultural and industrial administration.

Foreign Policy and the Cold War

Khrushchev's foreign policy was marked by a mix of confrontation and peaceful coexistence with the West. He played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. However, he also sought to improve relations with the United States and other Western countries, leading to a period of détente.

Downfall and Later Life

Khrushchev's policies and personality eventually led to his downfall. In 1964, he was removed from power by his colleagues in the Communist Party, who were dissatisfied with his erratic behavior and policy failures. He spent the rest of his life in relative obscurity, writing his memoirs and living quietly in Moscow until his death in 1971.

Legacy

Khrushchev's legacy is mixed. He is credited with initiating significant reforms and reducing the repressive nature of the Soviet regime. However, his tenure was also marked by economic difficulties and foreign policy crises. Despite his controversial leadership, he remains a significant figure in Soviet and world history.

Related Pages

• Joseph Stalin
• Leonid Brezhnev
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• Khrushchev Thaw
• Cold War
• Communist Party of the Soviet Union