In 1953, Stalin's death was like a sudden gust of wind, which instantly lost the direction of the huge political machine of the Soviet Union. This crucial year became a watershed moment in history, followed by the "Beria Treason", which pushed the power struggle of the entire country to its peak. This drastic change of power not only ended the reign of Lavrenti · Pavlovich · Beria, a highly controversial political figure, but also paved the way for the rise of Nikita · Khrushchev. Let's travel back in time and look back at the key people and events in this power storm.
The background of the power struggle
Since Stalin's death, tension has permeated Soviet politics about the verge of rupture. Stalin's repressive policies and cult of personality made every member of the Politburo walk on thin ice, and the power vacuum was a crack that anyone could take advantage of. Beria, the head of the Stalinist secret police, had already amassed enormous power, and his position in the Politburo was solid. However, Khrushchev was secretly plotting his own ambitions.
Khrushchev was well aware that in order to win over Beria, it was necessary to first build his own support network. Over time, he began to aggressively woo party members, build a sense of distrust of Beria, and try to weaken his influence. On the surface, the government seems to be functioning normally, but behind the turbulent undercurrent, Khrushchev is paving the way for the upcoming decisive battle.
Planning of a coup d'état
In June 1953, Khrushchev secretly gathered with the top military officials to intensively plan an arrest of Beria. Their strategy is not unfounded, but the result of careful consideration. The Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee held a ghostly meeting, and Khrushchev and his allies discussed plans for assassinations, arrests, and even public executions, in an atmosphere of great seriousness and tension. For them, Beria is not just a political opponent, but a potential threat.
In the planning phase of this power game, Khrushchev was undoubtedly a chess player, and Beria was the pawn he wanted to eliminate. Everything is quietly brewing, like the calm before the storm, waiting for that moment to erupt.
A critical moment in the execution of the coup
On June 26, 1953, the turning point in history finally came. On that sunny morning, a tense atmosphere prevailed in the conference room of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU. The significance of the matter has long been felt by all the members. At Khrushchev's suggestion, the meeting began, and the topic of discussion was no longer a superficial policy, but was full of accusations and sieges against Beria.
Just as the meeting was at its climax, a sudden clash broke the deadlock. The moment Zhukov pulled out his pistol, the entire conference room fell into a deathly silence. It was a historic moment, as if time had stood still, and all eyes were focused on this weapon of power and counterattack. Zhukov was calm and firm, and his actions represented tacit cooperation between the military and Khrushchev, which mercilessly changed the fate of Beria.
Under his leadership, the armed officers quickly arrested Beria, and at that moment, the once symbol of power was instantly reduced to a prisoner. Beria's embarrassment is precisely the fruit of Khrushchev's carefully arranged victory.
Post-coup repercussions
The news of Beria's arrest spread quickly and shocked the entire Soviet Union. Khrushchev quickly took control of the situation and began to purge Beria of power and reshape the political landscape of the entire Soviet Union. Beria, who was once known for his iron-fisted rule, lost all protection in an instant, and the agents of power who were once attached to him also withdrew from the stage of history.
The subsequent trial and secret detention pushed Beria to the edge of history. He was deprived of all honor and freedom, and finally came to the end of his fate. And the rise of Khrushchev means the beginning of a new era. During his tenure in power, the political landscape of the Soviet Union underwent earth-shaking changes, and with the implementation of the policy of de-Stalinization, Khrushchev gradually won the hearts and minds of the people, but also buried the hidden danger of subsequent disputes.
summary
The fall of Beria was not only a victory in a political struggle, but also a profound revelation of the complex power struggles of the Cold War. Khrushchev's entanglement with Beria reflected the impermanence and cruelty of the Soviet political environment. History teaches us that the costs of power play are often far-reaching and unbearable, and that behind them are countless human tragedies of the struggle for power.
In the review of this period of history, we see not only those fierce struggles and changes, but also a microcosm of an era. The rise of Khrushchev and the end of Beria are not only the inevitability of history, but also the projection of human nature. Through the process of power struggle, we can't help but reflect: in that whirlpool, how many ups and downs, right and wrong, success or failure, together constitute the most real picture of that era.