1985 ⟶ Chernenko Dies

General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union...
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1953
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1985

⚰️ Stalin Dies; Power Struggle Begins

Stalin dies, setting off a power struggle to succeed him. NATO debates possibility of a fresh start.⟶
Stalin Dies; Power Struggle Begins (1953)
Soviet UnionJoseph StalinDeathSuccessionCold WarUSSRPoliticsLeadership

🇷🇺 Khrushchev Ascends to Power in USSR

Nikita Khrushchev becomes leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His main rival, Lavrentiy Beria, is executed in December.⟶
Khrushchev Ascends to Power in USSR (1953)
USSRSoviet UnionKhrushchevLeadershipCommunist PartyPoliticsCold WarBeria

👤 Brezhnev Succeeds Khrushchev as Soviet Leader

Leonid Brezhnev succeeds Khrushchev to become General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, with Alexei Kosygin as his Premier.⟶
Brezhnev Succeeds Khrushchev as Soviet Leader (1964)
USSRBrezhnevKhrushchevLeadershipPoliticsCold WarCommunist PartySoviet Union

👤 Andropov Becomes Soviet Leader

Yuri Andropov becomes General Secretary of the Soviet Union.⟶
Andropov Becomes Soviet Leader (1982)
AndropovSoviet UnionLeadershipCold WarPolitical TransitionUSSR

🇷🇺 Chernenko named General Secretary

Chernenko named General Secretary (1984)

⚰️ Chernenko Dies

General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Konstantin Chernenko dies.⟶
Chernenko Dies (1985)
Soviet UnionChernenkoLeadershipCold WarSuccessionPoliticsDeathCommunist Party