Khrushchev's Fall

• Who were the conspirators in Khrushchev's fall?

  Answers:

  • Brezhnev
  • Podgorny
  • Shelepin
  • Suslov
• When did Brezhnev, Podgorny and others in the Presidium take the decision to remove Khrushchev from power?

  February-March 1964
• When is Khrushchev awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union?

  April 1964
• When did Khrushchev go on holiday to the Crimea?

  October 1964
• When did Suslov telephone Khrushchev whilst he was on holiday?

  12th October 1964
• What did Suslov say to Khrushchev on the phone whilst he was on holiday?

  Answers:

  • He told him that a Presidium meeting had been convened and that Khrushchev's presence was required.
  • The plotters had decided to act quickly before Khrushchev could return from holiday and rally support.
• When did Khrushchev return from holiday and attend a two-day Presidium meeting?

  13th-14th October 1964
• What was Khrushchev accused of during the two-day Presidium meeting?

  Answers:

  • Erratic leadership.
  • Taking hasty and ill-considered decisions.
  • Ignoring and slighting his colleagues.
  • Developing his own personality cult.
  • Confusing the party with his bifurcation reforms.
  • Reducing workers' welfare.
  • Insensitivity in foreign affairs.
  • Damaging foreign trade relations.
  • Giving too much aid to lower economically developed countries.
• As a result of the two-day Presidium meeting, what did Khrushchev do?

  Answers:

  • He did not put up a fight.
  • He stated that 'could anyone have dreamt of telling Stalin that he didn't suit us anymore and suggesting that he retire?' and that 'the fear is gone' and that 'that was his contribution.'
  • He was allowed to retire with an apartment and a pension, playing no further part in Soviet politics.
  • He died in 1971.