Opponents of Khrushchev + His Fall From Power

• The "thaw" allowed artistic and intellectual freedom. "Cultural dissidents" emerged.
• Cultural dissidents wanted to promote human rights and greater democracy.
• The Soviet Union remained a highly authoritarian state. A network of spies and informers were present.
• Written word was used to expressed political views that would be published abroad. This could be smuggled into culture through the country or Samizdat.
• Samizdat entailed rewriting literature to be spread through personal contacts. This practice became the underground press.
• Information and opinions on Soviet politics and society would be spread through the underground.
• Several writers were imprisoned for criticising the regime. Thousands more writers were condemned for their "anti-social, parasitic way of life".
• The music scene was present "underground". Jazz, rock 'n' roll and Western pop were genres that were played on tapes.
• Many of Khrushchev's colleagues never forgave him for his "secret speech". Hard-line Stalinists, like Molotov, believed the speech undermined the unity and authority of the Party.
• Hard-liners tried to force Khrushchev from power in 1957. They secured a majority from the Presidium.
• Khrushchev appealed to the Central Committee over the Presidium in 1957. The Army and KGB were 2 other groups that supported him.
• Khrushchev's opponents were sent a long way from Moscow after the 1957 leadership challenge to work insignificant jobs. They avoided execution.
• Khrushchev's 70th birthday was in April 1964. Leonid Brezhnev praised him and his achievements.
• Brezhnev led opposition in the Presidium and CC after praising Khrushchev on his birthday. Former Khrushchev supporters were involved in this.
• Khrushchev was forced to resign after Brezhnev's opposition took off. The press gave "age and ill health" as a reason for this action.
• The press later denounced Khrushchev for his "hare-brained schemes, half-baked conclusions and hasty decisions".
• Khrushchev was given a flat in Moscow after he resigned. He also gained a house in the country.
• Khrushchev was given a car and a pension after his resignation.
• Khrushchev wasn't purged after he stepped down. His son-in-law fell victim of this after Khrushchev gave him wide powers.
• Khrushchev aroused the resentment of many different groups by 1964. He was criticised for a "one-man style" of ruling.
• Khrushchev was criticised for arrogant behaviour. He failed to take advice.
• The failure of the Virgin Lands scheme led to shortfalls of food supplies. Grain had to be imported from the US and Canada.
• Khrushchev decentralised economic controls. This angered Moscow party leaders.
• Khrushchev promoted consumer goods. His opponents wanted emphasis on heavy industry.
• The military disliked Khrushchev because he focused on nuclear missiles. These weapons were developed at the expense of conventional weapons.
• Protests and strikes increasingly took place by workers. A food price rise in 1962 especially caused this.
• Foreign policy was criticised under Khrushchev. He gave a lot of power to his son-in-law.
• John Gooding argued that "toppling a Soviet leader was unprecedented".