Identity Unknown

Being the largest country in the world comes with its fair share of challenges. These pieces of propaganda demonstrate that our nation is at a cultural crossroad and there is no uniform Russian identity. Instead, the Russian "identity" is a collection of different origins, cultures, and social groups. It is important that we embrace our differences and our diversity. The purges and persecution of ethnic groups during Stalin's time in power (as depicted in the propaganda poster on the right) will never be tolerated again in Russia.

 

Sources: http://www.sanasaeed.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/42-29079690.jpg 

http://www.lasalle.edu/~mcinneshin/251/wk14/images/depressn/destroykulaksasaclass.jpg

 

Thawing the Icy Tension

After the conclusion of the Cuban Missile Crisis, I have made it my mission to ease political tensions and hostility towards Russia. Peaceful coexistence is and will be Russia's approach to global problems with the United States of America and any other country in question. There is no need to waste military resources and Russian lives to indimidate another nation or assert Russia's dominance. Instead, liberalisation and peaceful cooperation are the means by which Russia will emerge from the oppresive shadow of Stalin, becoming an open and equal society.

While I am confident in Russia's ability to promote peace, I acknowledge the fact that many Soviet bureaucrats dislike my policies for reform of the Russian government. To mold Russia into a more liberal and peaceful nation, the government must be decentralized and must uphold fair and equal components. After Josef Stalin's communist grip on Russia, the political culture of the country was far too militarized and had no components that could convey the will of the people. I am firm in my belief that government positions must be filled by an elected candidate, not by a candidate chosen through a patronage system of nomenklatura.

Russia has considerable potential to become a nation with profound equality, liberal ideals, and a peaceful global disposition. The current members of the Soviet bureaucracy must realize that the Stalinized government of the past is corrupt and wasteful. It is time to change our political culture and shift the government to a more regionalized system that protects and gives liberties to the people. We as a nation must work to change the world's view of Russia as well as our people's view of Russia. With reform, the Russian government will be able to flourish and grow during the 20th century and beyond.

Nikita Khrushchev

The Headhunter

This cartoon depicts Soviet agents in the NKVD rounding up suspects for Stalin. Stalin was obsessed with the possibility of dissent and he misused the power of the secret police to persecute Russians throughout his tyrannical reign.
 

Source: Political Cartoons from the Czech Republic

http://www.executedtoday.com/images/Slansky_cartoon_kresba.jpg

 

 

From NKVD to KGB

Over the past decade, the citizens of the USSR have been terrified of their own government. And rightfully so. For too long,  Stalin oppressed this country’s people through the use of the secret police force, the NKVD. Entire racial groups would be forced to relocate and move to far off reaches of the USSR such as Siberia. My predecessor used the NKVD to execute entire villages and murdered millions of people. Political dissidents and their families would disappear from never to be heard again. The organization, while governmental in nature, only answered to one man, Josef Stalin. The NKVD even brought itself so low as to collaborate with the German gestapo in areas such as Poland bringing disgrace to our nation, but no more.

As leader of the Soviet Union I will completely restructure the police force and have it renamed as the KGB. Gulags are now a thing of the past. The destalinization of the police force will be swift and thorough. I will remove the former leaders of this program and bring in a new wave of personnel who are untainted by the corruption and inhumanity of the NKVD. Unlike my predecessor, when I remove personnel from a position I do not need to execute them; I need only to demote them in order to prevent further Soviet bloodshed. Torture is officially condemned by the state and any public servants or police carrying out torture in the name of the Soviet Union are not sanctioned in their actions and will face legal consequence.

I will also implement a more socialist legality creating a more fair legal system. This new system will do more to protect ordinary citizens as well as public officials who would have previously felt danger. The criminal code 1958 clearly states that the secret police can no long conduct trials, convict without evidence and witnesses, or solely use confessions to condemn a victim. In addition to this enhanced criminal code, prison sentences in general will be decreased by several years.

Nikita Khrushchev

"Don't Invade Cuba, We Are Serious."

Russia has received harsh criticism since the Cuban Missile Crisis from the international community and Russia itself. Take a moment to listen to my son, Sergei Khrushchev, who defends the Russian perspective on the crisis in Cuba as well as the reasoning for why Russia was adamant about enforcing its protection.

Source: Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University, The Choices Program 2007

Coexistence, Crops & Cuba

As part of my plans for the Destalinization of Russia, I believe that it is in the nation's best interest to move away from militarization and move towards an open system of agriculture. Instead of Stalin's forced collectivization of the agricultural industry, I propose that the emphasis be placed on increasing the availability of consumer goods through agriculture. Reform of the agricultural system will require capital; I am more than willing to divert resources intended for the military sector and use them to re-imagine Russian industry and agriculture. The importance of the military is no longer greater than the importance of Russia's people and their needs.

The benefits of agricultural reform and military consolidation are not limited to the enhancement of Russian daily life. In fact, the most important benefit of consolidating the Russian military sector is that our nation is moving closer to a policy of peaceful coexistence. Through coexistence, Russia has the ability to thrive in European as well as international markets. Stalin created a hostile and highly militaristic environment that I would like to see change in the near future. Without reform and change, Russia will remain stagnant in progress as well as reputation-- a nation with too much emphasis on the military and not enough emphasis on the ever-changing world.

After talks of continued military consolidation, many Russians have begun to grow weary that the lack of a strong military will endanger the nation as a whole. The recent "difficulties" in Cuba have been poorly received throughout the world; however, I believe that this affair served as a prime example of peaceful coexistence at work. The situation was a series of misinterpretations and misjudgments that spiraled into momentous tension over the placement of Russian missiles in Cuba. While the crisis came within reach of starting international nuclear war, peaceful and diplomatic solutions prevailed. President Kennedy and the Americans have celebrated the fact that they defeated the Soviets; however, both Russia and the United States of America have dodged a bullet through avoiding what could have evolved into World War III. While I am discomfited by the international headlines and propaganda concerning the so-called "Cuban Missile Crisis," I am proud that Russia's policy of peaceful coexistence prevailed over military aggression.

Nikita Khrushchev

By Order of Joe

This is how the rest of the Europe and the world sees Russia. We must open our minds and our country to the world and if we do not, Russia will never emerge from the shadow of Stalin's Russia.

 

Source: British cartoonist Illingworth for The Daily Mail on 6 March 1946

The Thaw Begins: On the Personality Cult and its Consequences

Russia has been oppressed by Stalin and his manaical practices for too long. It is time for the people to reunite as a nation and look beyond the needs of the individual. It is time to introduce new policies that will strengthen the country. It is time to emerge from the shadow of Stalin and the so-called Stalinization of Russia that left the people without liberty and without hope.

It has been three years since the death of our former leader, Josef Stalin, and the time to act is now. Contrary to many Soviet leaders, I believe that Russia and the world should know about the inexcusable terror instilled by Stalin. I am not afraid to denounce Stalinization nor am I afraid to do so on the world stage. Despite the strong disapproval of my advisors and other bureaucrats, I have decided to release information concerning Stalin and his totalitarian regime through publishing the speech I gave during a closed session of the 20th Party Congress at the Kremlin just a few days ago. Below, you will find a link to the text version of my speech, On the Personality Cult and its Consequences, and I encourage you to carefully read through the details of Stalin's reign of terror.

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1956khrushchev-secret1.html

My reasons for posting this classifed speech are rooted in the principle of glasnost, or "open-ness". Over time, I hope to transform Russia into a more open-minded society that accepts new economic reform, culture, and international cooperation. Stalin closed off Russia from the rest of the world that is rapidly industrializing and progressing economically as well as socially. Glasnost would give Russians a new sense of liberty and freedom as restrictions would be relaxed considerably and the nation would become less isolated as a whole. Russian triumph will emanate from Russian unity-- we must let our nation thaw after these bitter years of Stalinization.

Nikita Khrushchev