Essay Database

Destalinization: A Wise Political Strategy Although many of his ideas did not bring the expected results, Nikita Khrushchev policies of de-Stalinization were politically wise. He went against many of Stalin’s tyrannical policies and gave the people a much greater sense of freedom. In the process known as “de-Stalinization”, legal procedures were restored, some greater degree of meaningful public controversy was permitted, forced labor camps were closed and the secret police tactics of Stalin’s …

…moved into the dull grayness of decline16. Although Khrushchev was peacefully removed from office by a ‘triumvirate’ in October 1964 and many of his plans failed, his initial goal was reached. That night he returned home and exclaimed, “Well, that’s it. I’m retired now. Perhaps the most important thing I did was just this – that they were able to get rid of me simply by voting, whereas Stalin would have had them all arrested”. 17