☰ Contents · World history

The USSR: 1946–1964

Lessons 19 · 1 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World history (1918–1991), Grade 10, 1st edition. Turon-Iqbol Publishing House, Tashkent, 2017
19

The Soviet Union, 1946–1991 (I): 1946–1964

Textbook: pp. 87–93
GoalAssess the Soviet Union’s recovery in 1946–1964, Stalin’s death and the reforms and contradictions of the Khrushchev era.
New words
the “Thaw” · «iliqlik» davricult of personality · shaxsga sig‘inish20th Congress of the CPSU · KPSS XX syezdiVirgin Lands campaign · bo‘z yerlarni o‘zlashtirish
Explanation

In the Second World War the USSR lost about 27 million people (estimates vary) and many towns and villages were destroyed. After the war the economy was rebuilt mainly with internal resources: by 1950 industrial output exceeded the pre-war level, but priority was given to heavy and military industry while agriculture and light industry lagged; strict political control remained. Stalin died on 5 March 1953 and Nikita Khrushchev rose to the leadership (1953–1964). In February 1956 at the 20th Congress of the CPSU Khrushchev criticised Stalin’s cult of personality and the repressions; many of the repressed were rehabilitated and returned from camps – the start of the “Thaw”. In the economy housing construction was speeded up, virgin lands were opened up in Kazakhstan and Siberia in the 1950s, and achievements were made in science and technology (the first artificial satellite in 1957, Yuri Gagarin’s spaceflight on 12 April 1961). However, the events in Hungary in 1956 were suppressed by force, the political system remained largely unchanged and agriculture kept facing difficulties; in October 1964 Khrushchev was removed from office.

Worked examples
The space race: Sputnik 1 entered orbit on 4 October 1957 and on 12 April 1961 Gagarin became the first person to orbit the Earth. This raised the USSR’s scientific prestige and sharpened rivalry with the USA.
Khrushchev’s “secret speech”: at the 1956 congress the violations of law under Stalin were exposed. It provoked great discussion in society, but the foundations of the system were not fully criticised; Khrushchev himself had previously been part of the leadership.
Class activity

Discussion: “The 20th Congress – a turning point for society or a limited reform?” Groups give three arguments each; a summary table is then drawn up.

Practice
1
When did Stalin die?
2
What question was raised at the 20th Congress of the CPSU?
3
When did Yuri Gagarin fly into space?
4
Why did agricultural problems remain in the 1950s–1960s?