What is Nikita Khrushchev best known for?

During his rule, Khrushchev stunned the communist world with his denunciation of Stalin’s crimes, and embarked on a policy of de-Stalinization with his key ally Anastas Mikoyan. He sponsored the early Soviet space program, and enactment of relatively liberal reforms in domestic policy.

What did Nikita Khrushchev want the US to do?

In a long and rambling interview with an American reporter, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev claims that the Soviet Union has missile superiority over the United States and challenges America to a missile “shooting match” to prove his assertion.

What problems was Khrushchev trying to deal with?

Contents. Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) led the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, serving as premier from 1958 to 1964. Though he largely pursued a policy of peaceful coexistence with the West, the Cuban Missile Crisis began after he positioned nuclear weapons 90 miles from Florida.

Why did Khrushchev protect Cuba?

To protect Cuba: Khrushchev wanted to support the new communist country in ‘Uncle Sam’s backyard’, and ensure that the Americans would not attempt another incident like the Bay of Pigs and attempt to overthrow Castro.

What did Khrushchev say in his ultimatum?

Events leading up to the Crisis 1958-1960 In November 1958, Khrushchev issued an ultimatum giving the Western Powers six months to agree to withdraw from Berlin and make it a free, demilitarized city.

Why did Khrushchev build the Berlin Wall?

To halt the exodus to the West, Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev recommended to East Germany that it close off access between East and West Berlin. On the night of August 12-13, 1961, East German soldiers laid down more than 30 miles of barbed wire barrier through the heart of Berlin.

Who ruled after Khrushchev?

In October 1964, Brezhnev replaced Khrushchev as First Secretary of the Communist Party. Despite being the head of the nation’s ruling Party, he initially led the Soviet Union as part of a troika alongside Premier Alexei Kosygin and Presidium Chairman Nikolai Podgorny.

Who led Russia after Stalin?

After Stalin died in March 1953, he was succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and Georgi Malenkov as Premier of the Soviet Union.