1953 ⟶ Stalin Dies; Power Struggle Begins

Stalin dies, setting off a power struggle to succeed him. NA...
Timelines Logo
Year
1953
1971
1980
1982
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

⚰️ Death of Nikita Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev dies.⟶
Death of Nikita Khrushchev (1971)
USSRSoviet UnionKhrushchevLeadershipCold WarPoliticsDe-StalinizationEastern Bloc

⚰️ Alexei Kosygin Resigns and Dies

Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin resigns due to ill-health; he dies on December 18.⟶
Alexei Kosygin Resigns and Dies (1980)
Soviet UnionKosyginleadershippolitical transitionCold WarUSSRdeath1980s

⚰️ Brezhnev Dies

Leonid Brezhnev dies from a heart failure with his funeral being held five days later.⟶
Brezhnev Dies (1982)
BrezhnevSoviet UnionLeadershipCold WarPolitical TransitionUSSR

⚰️ Chernenko Dies

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