VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > B. Europe, 1945–2000 > 7. Eastern Europe, 1945–2000 > i. Russia (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Successor States) > 1. Soviet Union > 1953, Jan. 31
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1953, Jan. 31
 
A Pravda announcement of the “doctors' plot” to kill leading Soviet commanders presaged a purge, especially of Jews, which ended with Stalin's death (March 5) and the release of the doctors arrested (April 4).  1
 
March 5
 
Death of Joseph STALIN. He was interred in Lenin Mausoleum on March 9.  2
 
March 6
 
G. M. Malenkov became head of the Soviet government, with the following first deputy chairmen of the Council of Ministers: Laurenty Beria, Molotov (also foreign minister), Marshal Bulganin, and Lazar Kaganovich. Vishinsky, formerly foreign minister, became a permanent Soviet representative at the UN.  3
 
March 20
 
Nikita Khrushchev succeeded Malenkov as first secretary of the CPSU Central Committee.  4
 
June 22
 
The government lifted most of its curbs on travel by foreigners, including diplomatic personnel.  5
 
July 10
 
Beria's expulsion from the party and dismissal as minister of internal security was announced. His execution, along with six associates (Dec. 23) followed his conviction of treason by the Soviet Supreme Court.  6
 
Aug. 8
 
Premier Malenkov declared that “the United States no longer possesses a monopoly on the hydrogen bomb.”  7
 
Nov. 16
 
The International Labor Office rejected a Soviet application for membership.  8
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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