1. New Era of Soviet Russia
Nikita Khrushchev

2. Death of Stalin
Joseph Stalin died on the 5th March 1953 at the age of 74. It was said that he had suffered a stroke.

3. New Hope for the West
The western world hoped the death of Stalin would bring about the end of international tension between East and West.
Peaceful Co-existence

4. Nikita Khrushchev Born to a Russian Peasant Family.
Was trained as a Joiner and was active in Trade Union activities.
Fought in the Red Army
In 1918 became a Party member

5. Nikita’s Rise to Power
Khrushchev became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Moscow in 1934.
In 1938, he became the 1st Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine.
During WW2, He coordinated the defence of Ukraine and was a political commissar Stalingrad
During the Period , he carried out Stalin’s orders without hesitation earning the nickname “Butcher of the Ukraine”.

6. Divisions within the Party
After Stalin’s death, the Party was divided and a power struggled ensued.
Laverntiy Beria was the man with the most control and power over the Party. He was chief of Soviet Security and secret police under Stalin
Fearing Beria would execute them, his political rivals united against him and imprisoned and executed him.
Khrushchev became leader in September 1953.