To what extent was the development of the post-Stalin thaw in superpower relations between 1953 and 1962 the result of Khrushchev’s policy of ‘Peaceful Coexistence’?
To what extent was the development of the post-Stalin thaw in superpower relations between 1953 and 1962 the result of Khrushchev’s policy of ‘Peaceful Coexistence’?
The post Stalin thaw, which occurred in the period between 1953 and 62’, refers to the more conciliatory approach employed by both the USSR and the USA which resulted in greater toleration and a less ‘hard line’ foreign policy. The thaw was perhaps a direct result of Stalin's death as both sides saw an opportunity to ease tensions between the two superpowers.
Peaceful coexistence was a policy, which focused primarily on cooperation with capitalist states and particularly the USA. The policy aimed to challenge the views that both communist and capitalist ideologies could not exist together and that one would eventually fall. Almost all communist states followed the new policy except china as chairman Mao still felt a hard line approach was necessary. Peaceful coexistence came about after the change of soviet leadership as Khrushchev came in to power and the policy came into effect at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956 and was a reaction to the tensions between the US and USSR. Sparked by the emerging nuclear arms race, which was become ever more hotly contested the fear of nuclear war forced a new perspective. Although the relationship remained strained this period of relaxation did come as a relief to the world.
To an extent Khrushchev was indeed responsible of this new policy and its implementation. It was he after all who used the policy and he clearly believed in it, he believed that ‘there are only two ways - either Peaceful Coexistence or the most destructive war in history. There is no third way’. Khrushchev was also evidently the soviet leader who was most successful in employing this new policy and came out on top in the struggle for power left after Stalin's death. Khrushchev also evidenced his commitment to the policy in his initial discouragement and
The post Stalin thaw, which occurred in the period between 1953 and 62’, refers to the more conciliatory approach employed by both the USSR and the USA which resulted in greater toleration and a less ‘hard line’ foreign policy. The thaw was perhaps a direct result of Stalin's death as both sides saw an opportunity to ease tensions between the two superpowers.
Peaceful coexistence was a policy, which focused primarily on cooperation with capitalist states and particularly the USA. The policy aimed to challenge the views that both communist and capitalist ideologies could not exist together and that one would eventually fall. Almost all communist states followed the new policy except china as chairman Mao still felt a hard line approach was necessary. Peaceful coexistence came about after the change of soviet leadership as Khrushchev came in to power and the policy came into effect at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956 and was a reaction to the tensions between the US and USSR. Sparked by the emerging nuclear arms race, which was become ever more hotly contested the fear of nuclear war forced a new perspective. Although the relationship remained strained this period of relaxation did come as a relief to the world.
To an extent Khrushchev was indeed responsible of this new policy and its implementation. It was he after all who used the policy and he clearly believed in it, he believed that ‘there are only two ways - either Peaceful Coexistence or the most destructive war in history. There is no third way’. Khrushchev was also evidently the soviet leader who was most successful in employing this new policy and came out on top in the struggle for power left after Stalin's death. Khrushchev also evidenced his commitment to the policy in his initial discouragement and