“The failure of his domestic policies was the main reason for Khrushchev’s removal from power in 1964.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the main reason for Khrushchev’s removal from power in 1964 was the failure of his domestic policies. Candidates may refer to Khrushchev’s failed agricultural policies such as the “Virgin Lands” project and the expansion of grain planting into unsuitable regions, leading to harvest failure necessitating the importing of grain from the US. Discussion may be made of Khrushchev’s focus on greater availability of consumer goods and the building of khrushchyovka that significantly increased the
supply of housing but also provided private space for increased criticism of the state. Candidates may argue that of greater importance to his removal from power were Khrushchev’s controversial foreign policies that included: peaceful co-existence with the West; confrontation over Berlin; worsening relations with China; the placing of missiles on Cuba. Other reasons may include lingering resentment over Khrushchev’s suppression of the Anti Party Group and that his attempts to streamline the Party weakened his position. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the failure of his domestic policies was the main reason for Khrushchev's removal from power in 1964. Some excellent responses were seen to this question with detailed and accurate knowledge about Khrushchev's domestic policies and how they contributed to his removal from power. Some candidates were also able to argue that his foreign policies played an important role in his losing power.