Khrushchev: The Man who was friend of India and promoted liberalism in Soviet Union

21 January 1924 was crucial day in the history of USSR as Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, the man who inspired the Bolshevik or October Revolution in 1917 died on this day. Lenin was a great intellectual and effective orator. He was a person who at a time was ready to compromise on certain aspects of Communism and Marxism in order to govern the country properly. The classic example of it was his New Economic Policy. In order to passify the opposition to newly formed Communist Regime in Soviet Union or USSR, Lenin had come up with this new policy initiative. Under New Economic Policy, the free market economy and capitalism were allowed on limited extent, of course under the observation of the government or to be specific under the control of Communist government of Lenin. The New Economic Policy was announced in 1921 and indeed, it was going to remain in force for the time being. This great Bolshevik or Communist leader was born on 22 April 1870 in Simbirsk city. After the death of Lenin in 1924, the name of this city was kept as Ulyanovsk.

Before his death, Lenin had realized that Stalin was strengthening his position in the Party (Communist Party) and would be a serious contender in the race of becoming real ruler of USSR after Lenin. It is said that Lenin had sensed the over ambitious nature of Stalin and brutal methods to achieve the same. Hence, he had cautioned his fellow comrades about this Gerogian (Stalin was originally from the province of Georgia) and his ruthless behaviour. Not only so, even Lenin had suggested to remove Stalin from the post of General Secretary of Russian Communist Party's Central Committee. But, history most of the times takes very different turns and surprises the future generations. Here, in this case, the historical shock and surprise was, the man who was certainly disliked by Lenin, particularly due to his aggressive methods or rude manner, succeeded him as the ruler of Soviet Union. The man in concern here is none other than Joseph Stalin. The Stalin Era lasted from 1924 to 1953. During the period of these twenty nine years. Soviet Union witnessed tumultuous times. The collectivisation of agricultural land was ordered, the five year plans were drawn, more emphasis was given on heavy industry and arms production. Soviet Union also fought the Second World War on the side of Allies (England, USA and their friends). Soviet Union was forced into Second World War by Hitler's Germany, when the Fuhrer (Hitler) ordered German army to invade Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. This German invasion of Soviet Union was called as the 'Operation Barbarossa'. The main goal of this German Operation was to take control of the Soviet territory and populate at least the western part of Soviet Union with German population and also establish control over the oil rich territories between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. But, the German invasion and their great plans were foiled by Stalin. Stalin during these trying times provided strong leadership to Russians. The Battle of Stalingrad (fought between the period of 23 August 1942 to 2 February 1943. According to some sources few German soldiers continued to fight till the early days of March 1943) proved to be a turning point. This battle was made a prestige issue by Fuhrer i.e. Hitler as the city in which the fight was going on had the name of 'Stalin' - Stalingrad. Thanks to the leadership of Stalin and valient military leaders like Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov, the Russians defeated the mighty German War Machine during the Battle of Stalingrad and proved that Germans are not invincible but can be defeated. It not only boosted the morale of the Russians but the entire allied group. And the rest is history. Germany was defeated by allies in the Second World War.

After Second World War, Soviet Union emerged as the Super Power. Another Super Power being the United States of America. England and France lost their Super Power status in post Second World War period. They became second rate powers which were forced by circumstances to mainly follow the United States. Not only so, the United Kingdom and France also started losing their overseas colonies one after another. For instance, England lost her most precious colony, India on 15 August 1947. The post Second World War time also witnessed the beginning of very different kind of tension and rivalry between the United States of America and the Soviet Union called as the Cold War. The Soviets under the leadership of Stalin hepled the establishment of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe and were trying to establish it in many more countries in the world. The American reaction to it was the Marshall Plan and the Policy of Containment (of Communism), in other words to challenge and stop the Soviets or Russians from spreading the Communism in the World and the outcome was as said earlier, the Cold War.

Stalin Era was not only marked by the above mentioned high octane events but by the purges and elimination of political opponents. The first casaulty of Stalin was no doubt, Leon Trotsky. Many believed that Trotsky would succeed Lenin as the ruler of Soviet Union. There were strong reasons behind this thinking, as Trotsky was considered as an intellectual and good orator. His contribution during Bolshevik Revolution subsequent Civil War between Reds and Whites was tremendous. But, Stalin was able to sideline Trotsky and he was exiled to Kazakhstan at the end of January 1928 and later on expelled from Soviet Union in 1929, hence, he went to or rather sent to Turkey along-with his wife and son. Trotsky lived for sometime in France and Norway as well. At last Trotsky moved to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. On 20 August 1940 he was attacked by the agent of Russian Secret Agency (NKVD) with an ice axe. The next day i.e. 21 August 1940 Trotsky died inspite of being taken to hospital and operated.

As mentioned above, Stalin guided the destiny of Soviet Union from 1924 to 1953. He died on 5 March 1953 and the Stalin Era came to an end. After the death of Stalin, the troika of Malenkov, Khrushchev and Voroshilov mainly started controlling the affairs of Soviet Union jointly. They devised a formula wherein they shared their responsibilities or one can say the power. Malenkov became the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, in other words the Prime Minister. Khrushchev was named the Secretary of the Communist Party and Voroshilov was given the responsibility of Presidium or Politburo (It was the highest decision making authority of the Soviet Communist Party). Other members who were involved in this power sharing adjustment were Beria, Bulganin and Molotov.

Georgy Maximilianovich Malenkov was born on 8 January 1902 in Orenberg in southern Siberia. The city of Orenberg is located on the banks of river Ural (The Ural river is the third longest river in Europe. It is 2428 kilometers long and empties itself in Caspian Sea. Volga river is the largest river in Europe which also meets the Caspian Sea. The length of Volga is 3531 kilometers. The second largest river in Europe is Danube which originates in Germany and flows through as many as ten countries. The length of Danube is 2850 kilometers). Malenkov worked closely with both Lenin as well as Stalin. During the time of Stalin he was even asked to look after the missile development programme of Soviet Union especially, during the Second World War. It is said that many believed he would be the successor of Stalin. At the instance of Khrushchev, Malenkov was forced to step down from the post of Prime Minister in 1955. Malenkov tried to conspire and overthrow Khrushchev in 1957, hence he was exiled to Kazakhstan. In 1961 he was expelled from the Communist Party of Soviet Union. Malenkov died on 14 January 1988 in Moscow at the age of eighty six.

Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov was born on 4 February 1881 in Bakhmut, Ukraine. The city of Bakhmut is located on the banks of river Bakhmutka. Voroshilov was basically the military officer. He was the Marshal of the Soviet Military. Marshal was the highest military rank in the Soviet Union. It is said that there were five famous early Marshals of Soviet Union and they were Tukhachevsky, Budyonny, Voroshilov, Blyukher, and Yegorov. In the month of March 1953, Voroshilov was made the Chairman of the Presidium. In subsequent years the power and might of Khrushchev was increasing and most of the leaders were increasingly neglected and became insignificant, so was the case with Voroshilov. Around May 1960 Voroshilov gave up the post of Chairman of Presidium on his own and Leonid Brezhnev was chosen as his successor to lead the Presidium. After the ouster of Khrushchev, Brezhnev rehabilited Voroshilov politically and he was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Soviet Union in 1966. He was given the 'Hero of the Soviet Union' Medal on 22 February 1968, his second, the first being given on 3 February 1956. This is the highest title awarded to the person or persons for heroic service rendered to the state and society of Soviet Union. Voroshilov died in 1969 in Moscow.

Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria was born on 29 March 1899 in Merkheuli village in Abkhazia. He was quite close to Stalin. Beria had accompanied Stalin during the Yalta Conference (held between 4 to 11 February 1945 during the Second World War. It's a place in Crimea). He served as the head of the Secret Police for long time. After the death of Stalin he also became the First Deputy Premier of the Soviet Union. Beria was forced to give up his posts in June 1953. The charges levelled against him were treason i.e. anti national activities and rape. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov had helped Khrushchev in expelling or removing Beria from the power positions. Zhukov was very prominent personality from the ruling establishment of Society Union. He had served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Soviet Military and also Defence Minister. Zhukov was honoured with the title of the Marshal of the Soviet Union and had played crucial role in First and Second World Wars. Beria was finally awarded the death sentence and executed on 23 December 1953. The man who was given the responsibility of executing Beria was Pavel Fyodorovich Batitsky. Batitsky had served in the Red Army of Soviet Union since 1924. From 1966 to 1978 Batitsky acted as the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defence Forces (the air defence wing of the Soviet Military or Armed Forces). Earlier he was honoured with the title and position of the 'Hero of the Soviet Union' and 'Marshal of the Soviet Union'. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov served as the Minister In-charge of the Foreign Affairs from 1953 to 1956. He was born on 9 March 1890 in Kurkara also known as the Sovetsk town in Kirov Oblast of Russia. He was also the member of the Presidium from 1942 to 1957. Earlier he had served as the Russian Premier from 1930 to 1941. By 1962, when Khrushchev was about to strengthen his grip over power completely, Molotov was thrown out of the Communist Party whole together. This man, it is said that suffered from as many as seven heart attacks and ultimately died on 8 November 1986 in hospital at the age of ninety six. He was the last important survivor who had participated in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Nikolai Alexandrovich Bulganin was one more person who was the part of power sharing group immediately after the death of Stalin. Bulganin was born on 30 May 1895 in Nizhny Novgorod. Nizhny was also the place of birth of Maxim Gorky, the famous Russian author. The city was Nizhny was also known as 'Gorky' till 1990, of course after Maxim Gorky. Bulganin was considered as quite close to Khrushchev. Bulganin and Khrushchev had visited many countries together officially. They had also paid official visit to India in 1955. Due to their close proximity, at least in the eyes of the others, they were termed as ' the B and K show' by the foreign press. However, it is said that Khrushchev did not trust Bulganin thoroughly. It was but natural, as the history shows that the ambitious people eyeing powerful political positions not only do not trust even their close friends and relatives but also seldom share power with others. Ultimately, Bulganin was removed from his power positions in 1958. He had served as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 8 February 1955 to 27 March 1958. In the year 1960 he was forced to give up any kind of active participation in the political or other affairs of the Soviet Union and was awarded pension. In other words he was forcibly retired from his Party positions in return of pension. Bulganin died on 24 February 1975 in Moscow at the age of seventy nine. Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was born on 15 April 1894 in Kalinovka village in Kursk Oblast. Khrushchev served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 14 September 1953 to 14 October 1964. He wielded considerable power in Soviet Union during this period. Khrushchev Era was marked with departure from the Stalinist policies in most of the areas. He shared good relations with Stalin, at least outwardly it seemed so. He was present in Stalingrad during one of the most famous battles of the Second World War and for that matter 20th century i.e. the Battle of Stalingrad (23 August 1942 to 2 February 1943). Stalin had given the responsibility of governing Ukraine to Khrushchev among others. He was also considered as the close advisor to Stalin. Even though, such was the relation between Stalin and Khrushchev. Stalin was denounced and criticised by Khrushchev for his most of the actions, of course after his death. The criticism of Stalin done by Khrushchev came to be known as 'the de-Stalinization'. He accused Stalin of promoting personality cult and dictatorship. Khrushchev granted liberty to the Russian writers and poets to express themselves through their literary works on some extent at least for the time being. He also tried to reduce the tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western Democratic Block led by the United States of America by giving the slogan of 'Peaceful Co-existence'. One of the most cotroversial incidents of the Khrushchev Era in the foreign policy arena of Soviet Union was the 'Cuban Missile Crisis' of 1962 (actual dates were- October 16 to 28, 1962). Khrushchev had ordered to send Russian Missiles to Cuba, a country located in close proximity of United States of America in the northern Caribbean Sea and ruled by Fidel Castro. These Missiles were meant to be installed in this island country which would have brought major part of USA in the range of these Russian Missiles. Hence, the then US President, John F. Kennedy ordered the US Navy to stop the Russian ships bringing missiles through Atlantic Ocean. The tough stand taken by Kennedy surprised Khrushchev, at last the crisis came to an end when Soviet Union agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba in return for the US promise to not invade Cuba in future and withdrawal of US Jupiter Missiles from Turkey. The Cuban Missile Crisis had brought the two Superpowers viz. the USA and USSR very close to the war. The entire world was under tension and fearing the Nuclear War between these two gigantic powers. But, fortunately the good sense prevailed on both the sides (i. e. Khrushchev and Kennedy) and the crisis was thwarted.

One can say for sure that the relations between Soviet Union and People's Republic of China stated deteriorating during the times of Khrushchev. Mao -Ze-Dung, the Chinese Communist leader should be definitely blamed for it. Some experts say that after the death of Stalin, Mao repeatedly started taking stand which was not in line with that of the Soviets (Russians), at a times even challenging his Russian counterparts. This attitude of Chinese Communist leadership definitely did not go well with Russians and especially, Khrushchev.

Khrushchev can be considered as the friend of India as he had reprimanded Chairman Mao for the Chinese creating problems along the borders of India in 1959. His conversation with Mao clearly indicated that he was in agreement with the point of view of Indian government and Prime Minister Pandit Nehru. Even, when Communist China invaded India in 1962, the Soviet Union helped India by selling the advanced MiG Fighter Planes to India.

As far as industrial sector was concerned, Khrushchev gave impetus to the light and consumer durable industry. The intention behind this move was to make available these goods to Russian common people and improve their standard of living. One can say that he was able to achieve this goal on great extent. He also encouraged the increase in industiral production by way of upward revision of the wages.

Increasing agricultural production had most of the times remained a major problem since the time of Stalin. Hence, Khrushchev, came up with the novel plan known as the 'the Virgin Lands Scheme' under which the untouched tracts of land in Siberia and Kazakhstan was brought under cultivation. In the beginning this programme seemed to be successful on some extent but ultimately resulted into a failure forcing the Soviet Union to import food grains from the countries like the United States of America and Australia, its arch Western rivals.

Khrushchev was little bit a short tempered person. He used to oppose his rivals and critics in very strong language and displayed anger openly. The proof of it was his banging of the table with his shoe during one of the meetings of the United Nations Organization.

On 14 October 1964, Khrushchev was removed from his postition by the Presidium and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Soviet Union. The whole show was stage managed in such a fashion that the request of Khrushchev to retire voluntarily was accepted by these two important bodies of the Party. The man who played crucial role in the ouster of Khrushchev was Leonid Brezhnev. Subsequently, Brezhnev was elected as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Soviet Union and Alexei Nikolayevich Kosygin was chosen as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers or the Prime Minister.

Khrushchev was given the pension of five hundred rubles (Russian currency) per month which was later on reduced to four hundred rubles along-with accommodation. Khrushchev suffered from depression during his retirement days as he was sidelined and neglected on great extent as if the then rulers wanted to totally wipe out the contribution of this man in his seventies in building the Russian Communist State. He recorded his memoirs. But, the tapes were seized by the KGB, the deadly spy agency of Communist Russia. Nevertheless, the tapes found its way out of Soviet Union and were published and naturally, in line with the existing Russian Communist Regime's ruling style of that time most of the things claimed in the Memoires of Khrushchev were denied. Khrushchev died on 11 September 1971 in Moscow at the age of seventy seven. He was denied the State Funeral, but he will definitely be considered as the friend of India by Indians for showing sympathy and support to India during our tensions with Communist China in the beginning of 1960s. During their visit to India in 1955, barely eight years after the independence of our country from British rule, Khrushchev and Bulganin had visited Punjab, Bombay (now Mumbai), Bangalore (now Banguluru), Madras (now Chennai) and Calcutta (now Kolkata) apart from many other parts of India including villages. Khrushchev had also declared his support to India on the issues of Kashmir and Goa (then under Portuguese control).

Asst. Prof. Subhash G. Shinde Vice Principal and HoD History Joshi-Bedekar College, Thane