On the Personality Cult and its Consequences

"On the Personality Cult and its Consequences" (commonly known as the Secret Speech) was a report to the 20th Party Congress on February 25 1956 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, in which he denounced the actions of Josef Stalin.

Related Topics:
20th Party Congress - February 25 - 1956 - Soviet - Nikita Khrushchev - Josef Stalin

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It was the first major break by Soviet leadership from the long domination of Stalinism. It was presented as an attempt to draw the Communist Party of the Soviet Union closer to Leninism. Stalin was condemned for violating Leninist principles and Communist Party norms.

Related Topics:
Stalinism - Communist Party of the Soviet Union - Leninism

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It was known as the Secret Speech because it was delivered at a closed session, and its actual text was printed only in 1989 (in the magazine "???????? ?? ????" ("Izvestiya TseKa KPSS" - Reports of the Central Committee of the CPSU), no 3, March 1989), although the Soviet people had already been informed of the speech one month after Khrushchev delivered it.

Related Topics:
1989 - Central Committee - CPSU

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