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SECTION 3: KHRUSHCHEV AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN THE 1950S

Key people: Stalin, Malenkov, Molotov, Beria, Khrushchev, Gomulka, Kadar, Nagy, Ho Chi Minh, Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles, Kennedy, Mao

Death of Stalin, March 1953

Stalin had imposed system of control across satellite states of E. Europe to consolidate USSR position in Cold War. But FP failures: Berlin Blockade, formation of NATO, Yugoslavia defection from CONINFORM. New leadership could now pursue more constructive domestic and foreign policies.

Destalinisation

Khrushchev's 'Secret Speech', Feb 1956

Role of Khrushchev

Politburo endorses collective leadership (Malenkov, Molotov, Bulganin and Khrushchev) to prevent one-man rule.

1953-1955 their reforms:

- Ending personality cult politics

- Reforming secret police (now KGB)

- Arrest + executive Beria in '53, feared head of Secret Police (concerned he wanted to be leader)

- 'New Course' in economic policy - emphasis on consumer goods

At 20th party Congress. High point of Destalinisation. USA regarded as sign of real change + expectation of reform among satellite states. Polish party leader Bierut had heart attack and died after reading the speech = 1956 - Gomulka introduced with series of moderate reforms.

K denounces: reign of terror, promoting cult of personality, using purges + persecution to consolidate his power, reduce Com Party to compliant body endorsing absolute control.

K doesn't condemn one-party state, centralised economic system, collectivisation of agriculture or existence of Secret Police.

Copies of text offered to Soviet officials and foreign Communist parties. CIA quickly obtained a copy - was published in Western press in June.

1955-58: able to out-manoeuvre his chief rivals and become clear leader. Determined to present "human face of socialism" (greater emphasis on human comfort with more consumer goods + reduce political terror), become 'a man of the people'. Visited UK in 1956 and US in 1959.

Historian Geoffrey Roberts: his approach to the West was one of "peaceful coexistence with a definite competitive edge". Had been profoundly influenced by visits to Russian front in WWII and similarly appalled by nuclear attacks = softer and more constructive tone - allowed summit diplomacy. Thought both powers should accept each other and called for peaceful economic competition.

However, firmly believed in superiority of communism and desire to prove Soviet strength. Pursued competitive ideological and military policies with capitalist powers. Boasted falsely that USSR was producing missiles like "sausages". Prepared to undertake high-risk ventures leading to 1958-59 Berlin crisis and Cuban Missile Crisis. Gaddis: he acted "like a petulant child playing with a loaded gun".

Soviet motives for peaceful coexistence

Beria tried to forge better relationship with Western powers = proposed reunified, neutral Germany.

June 1953: Soviet repression of anti-communist demonstrations in E. Germany.

August 1953: Malenkov calls for 'New Course', convinced that a capitalist-communist war was not inevitable. USSR could then raise living standards

Khrushchev opposed but once in power adopted the same policy. (Malenkov lost premiership in 1955 and Politburo seat in 1957).

1. Stalin's death and emergence of more progressive Soviet leadership

2. Inevitable triumph of communism over capitalism

Khrushchev: "Peaceful coexistence between different systems of government is possible but peaceful coexistence between different ideologies is not."

3. Confidence that USSR output would soon overtake West.

1956: claimed that since 1929, Soviet industrial production had risen by 1.9% but US only 1.3%

K: "the disintegration of the imperialist colonial system" = new states would reject imperialist West and look to USSR for support

4. Both sides had spheres of influence and recognised each others'.

Gave superpowers greater sense of security and made them more willing to negotiate.

Arms race economic and military implications = more constructive relationship.

K: "There are only two ways - either peaceful coexistence or the most destructive war in history. There is no third way."

1950: US had 298 atomic bombs, 1955: 2422.

One third of Soviet economy geared to military sector.

Key measures

End of Korean War, July 1953

New Soviet leadership rushed to bring fighting to an end (especially Molotov and Malenkov). Had been a stalemate since 1951, peace talks had been protracted.

Abandoning of Stalin's hardline approach and influenced by economic impact of prolonging the war. Clear distancing from Stalinist regime. Malenkov: "There is no dispute or outstanding issue, which cannot be settled peacefully."

Armistice negotiated along 38th parallel after USSR pressured Kim Il Sung to agree to ceasefire.

Cuts in Red Army, mid-1950s

Partly to convince West of peaceful intentions.

Also to save on costs - nuclear protection was sufficient. Latter half of 1950s: 5.8m to 3.7m men. 1960s: announcement of 33% more cuts.