Nikita Khrushchev becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, a pivotal figure in 20th-century history, served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, simultaneously holding the post of Chairman of that country's Council of Ministers from 1958 to 1964. His eleven-year tenure dramatically reshaped the Soviet Union and significantly influenced the global political landscape during the tumultuous Cold War era.

Early Life and Ascent Through Soviet Ranks

Born on April 15, 1894 (or April 3, O.S.), in a modest village in western Russia, Khrushchev's early life was far removed from the corridors of power he would one day command. He began his professional journey as a metal worker during his youth, a common occupation in the rapidly industrializing nation. His involvement in politics deepened during the chaotic Russian Civil War, where he served as a political commissar, ensuring ideological conformity within military units – a crucial role that exposed him to the inner workings of the Bolshevik state. This early experience laid a formidable groundwork for his future. Under the sponsorship of Lazar Kaganovich, a prominent Stalinist, Khrushchev steadily worked his way up the hierarchical ladder of the Soviet system. His rise, however, was not without its darker aspects; he actively supported Joseph Stalin's brutal purges, approving thousands of arrests, a chilling testament to the cutthroat politics of the era.

In 1938, Stalin dispatched Khrushchev to govern the Ukrainian SSR, where he continued the widespread purges. When the Soviet Union found itself embroiled in World War II, known domestically as the Great Patriotic War, Khrushchev once again assumed the critical role of a commissar, acting as a vital intermediary between Stalin and his military generals. He famously took great pride throughout his life in his presence at the bloody and pivotal defense of Stalingrad, a battle that marked a significant turning point on the Eastern Front. After the war concluded, he returned briefly to Ukraine before being recalled to Moscow, where he joined Stalin's inner circle as one of his close advisers.

The Khrushchev Thaw: Denouncing Stalin and Domestic Reforms

The death of Joseph Stalin on March 5, 1953, ignited a fierce power struggle within the Kremlin. From this intense competition, Nikita Khrushchev emerged victorious, consolidating his authority as the First Secretary of the party's Central Committee. What followed was an astonishing and unprecedented period known as the "Khrushchev Thaw."

A defining moment of his leadership came on February 25, 1956, during the 20th Party Congress. Here, Khrushchev delivered his groundbreaking "Secret Speech," a stunning and courageous denunciation of Stalin's crimes, his cult of personality, and the purges. This act sent shockwaves through the communist world and beyond, ushering in a significantly less repressive, though still authoritarian, era in the Soviet Union. Collaborating closely with his key ally Anastas Mikoyan, Khrushchev embarked on a policy of de-Stalinization, attempting to dismantle the pervasive fear and state terror that had characterized the Stalinist years.

Domestically, Khrushchev's policies aimed to better the lives of ordinary Soviet citizens. He initiated various reforms, though many, particularly in the vital agricultural sector, proved largely ineffective. He also championed the early Soviet space program, a monumental achievement that saw the launch of Sputnik, marking a significant victory in the technological and ideological rivalry with the West. In terms of national defense, hoping eventually to rely more on missiles, he ordered major cuts in conventional military forces.

Cold War Tensions and Global Encounters

Despite his efforts at internal reform and a stated desire for "peaceful coexistence," Khrushchev's time in office coincided with some of the tensest years of the Cold War. His leadership was severely tested, culminating in the harrowing Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a thirteen-day standoff with the United States that brought the world to the very brink of nuclear war. After some initial false starts, his subsequent skillful negotiations with the U.S. successfully de-escalated the crisis, a testament to his ability to navigate treacherous international waters and reduce tensions. He also oversaw other significant global events like the Suez Crisis, the Syrian Crisis of 1957, and the infamous 1960 U-2 incident, which further defined his international profile.

Fall from Power and Legacy

During the mid-1950s, Khrushchev enjoyed strong support, buoyed by perceived victories on the world stage, such as the Suez Crisis and the launching of Sputnik. However, by the early 1960s, his popularity began to erode. Flaws in his domestic policies, particularly agricultural failures and inconsistent reforms, combined with his sometimes erratic and controversial handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, weakened his standing within the Communist Party leadership. This emboldened his potential opponents who, quietly and steadily, consolidated their strength.

In October 1964, a carefully orchestrated coup by the Kremlin leadership stripped him of power. He was replaced by Leonid Brezhnev as First Secretary and Alexei Kosygin as Premier. Unlike many of his predecessors who met violent ends in Soviet power struggles, Khrushchev was spared. He was pensioned off with a comfortable apartment in Moscow and a dacha in the countryside, living out his remaining years under close, but not oppressive, surveillance.

His lengthy memoirs, a valuable historical record, were secretly smuggled to the West and partially published in 1970, offering an unparalleled insider's view of Soviet leadership. Nikita Khrushchev passed away on September 11, 1971, following a heart attack, leaving behind a complex legacy as a reformer who challenged the foundations of Stalinism while perpetuating aspects of authoritarian rule and navigating the perils of the Cold War.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nikita Khrushchev

Who was Nikita Khrushchev?
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was a prominent Soviet politician who served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1958 to 1964. He is most famous for initiating the de-Stalinization of the Soviet Union.
What were his major contributions or policies during his rule?
Khrushchev's rule was marked by his denunciation of Stalin's crimes and the subsequent policy of de-Stalinization. He also sponsored the early Soviet space program (including the launch of Sputnik), enacted relatively liberal domestic reforms aimed at improving citizens' lives, and engaged in critical Cold War negotiations, notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What was "de-Stalinization" under Khrushchev?
De-Stalinization was a period of political reform in the Soviet Union after Stalin's death, largely initiated by Khrushchev's "Secret Speech" at the 20th Party Congress in 1956. It involved publicly condemning Stalin's cult of personality, mass purges, and terror, leading to a more moderate internal policy and a slight reduction in state repression.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis and Khrushchev's role?
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. Under Khrushchev's leadership, the Soviet Union eventually agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. Khrushchev's handling of the crisis, though initially provocative, ultimately led to a peaceful resolution, preventing a potential nuclear war.
How did Nikita Khrushchev's political career end?
In October 1964, Khrushchev was stripped of power by the Kremlin leadership through a carefully orchestrated coup. He was replaced by Leonid Brezhnev as First Secretary and Alexei Kosygin as Premier. Unlike many of his predecessors in Soviet power struggles, Khrushchev was pensioned off and allowed to live out his retirement in Moscow and the countryside.