Reform Stability and Stagnation. 1953-1985

 Reform Stability and Stagnation 1953-85

Party

• Beria executed in 1953 by Khrushchev
• 1953-1956 Khrushchev replaced half of the regional part secretaries and 44% of the Central Comitee
• Secret speech in 1954, profound critique of Stalin, outlining his crimes and lack of respect to party
• Expansion of party membership, grew from 6.9 million in 1954 to 11 million in 1964
• Introduced fixed terms for senior communists, as a result two thirds of regional secretaries and Presidium were replaced 1957-1961

State

• Devolved power to republican governments in 1954, weakened state and attacked Malenkov 
• 1954 cut number  of Soviet ministries from 55 to 25, only 44% of soviet…