initially conflict between Malenkov and Khrushchev meant that collective leadership was difficult to achieve
malenkov supported more consumerism and westernisation which was similar to the demands of liberal reformers under the tsars and to Lenin's NEP but opponents to this argued that it reflected the desires of the administration and not the people of russia
Khrushchev offered the Virgin Land campaign as an alternative
Khrushchev offered the VirginLandcampaign as an alternative to Malenkovs ideas as he believed it would solve the most pressing problems and leader to greater internal wealth and stability
by 1955, under pressure from Khrushchev malenkov was forced to resign as prime minister and was demoted to minister for power stations
Malenkov was replaced by Bulganin who was far more sympathetic towards Khrushchev
after the execution of Beria (head of the MVD) and step down of Malenkov, Khrushchev was keen to move russia away from governance based on extreme repression
Khrushchev believed that the extreme repression had tarnished the USSR's image and was unhelpful at a time of increasing international tension
1953 death of Stalin replaced by Malenkov
1955 Virgin Land Scheme begins
1955 Malemkov replaced by joint leadership of Bulganin and Khrushchev
1956 20th Party congress - secret speech khrushchev denounces Stalin
