Destalinization in Soviet Russia

Destalinization was the process begun by Nikita Khrushchev, following the death of former Russian dictator Joseph Stalin in March 1953, of first discrediting Stalin and then reforming Soviet Russia leading to large numbers being released from imprisonment in Gulags, a temporary thaw in the Cold War, a slight relaxation in censorship and an increase in consumer goods, an era dubbed as ‘The Thaw’ or ‘Khrushchev’s Thaw’. Stalin’s Monolithic Rule In 1917 the Tsarist government of Russia was removed by a series of revolutions, which climaxed at the end of the year with Lenin and his followers in charge. They preached soviets, committees, groups to govern, but when Lenin died a man of bureaucratic genius called Stalin managed to warp the entire system of Soviet Russia around his personal rule. Stalin showed political cunning, but no apparent compassion or morality, and he instituted a period of terror, as every level of society and seemingly every person in the USSR was under suspicion, and millions were sent to Gulag work camps, often to die. Stalin managed to hold on and then win the Second World War because he had industrialized the USSR at vast human cost, and the system was so enshrined around him that when dying his guards daren’t go and see what was wrong with him out of fear. Khrushchev Takes Power Stalin’s system left no clear successor, the result of Stalin actively removing any rivals to power. Even the Soviet Union’s great general of WW2, Zhukov, was shunted into obscurity so Stalin could rule alone. This meant a struggle for power, one which former Commissar Nikita Khrushchev won, with no small amount of political skill himself. The U-Turn: Destroying Stalin Khrushchev didn’t want to continue Stalin’s policy of purge and murder, and this new direction—Destalinization—was announced by Khrushchev in a speech to the Twentieth Party Congress of the CPSU on February 25th , 1956 entitled ‘On the Personality Cult and its Consequences’ in which he attacked Stalin, his tyrannical rule and the crimes of that era against the party. The U-turn shocked those present. The speech was a calculated risk by Khrushchev, who had been prominent in Stalin’s later government, that he could attack and undermine Stalin, allowing non-Stalinist policies to be introduced, without damning himself by association. As everyone high up in Russia’s ruling party also owed their positions to Stalin, there was no one who could attack Khrushchev without sharing the same guilt. Khrushchev had gambled on this, and the turn away from the cult of Stalin to something relatively freer, and with Khrushchev remaining in power, was able to go ahead. Limits There was disappointment, especially in the West, that Destalinization did not lead to greater liberalization in Russia: everything is relative, and we are still talking about an ordered and controlled society where communism was sharply different to the original concept. The process was also reduced with Khrushchev’s removal from power in 1964. Modern commentators are worried by Putin’s Russia and the way Stalin seems to be in a process of rehabilitation.

A Social Welfare Effect On Minimum Wage - 2084 Words

Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century, there has been an intense debate on the impact minimum wage laws. There is unquestionably going to be a social welfare effect on minimum wage workers, whether wage changes are made at the local, state or federal level. The primary the aim of raising the minimum wage is to reduce the problem of rising income inequality in the U.S. by ensuring all workers receive what is deemed to be a fair wage by the government, which would theoretically increase the income of low wage earners and improve their standard of living. Hence, a plethora of economists has weighed the effectiveness of increasing such price floors in combating the issues of poverty and growing income inequality by utilizing different economic measures, especially unemployment. Therefore, by studying different places where the minimum wage has been raised, one can understand its impact on employment and ascertain its efficacy as a social welfare policy. Population Impact: When studying social policy, it is crucial to discern who is being affected by it. The population that is clearly affected by minimum wage laws is minimum wage workers and the industries in which they work in. In an analysis if Bureau Labor Statistics data, Drew DeSilver of the Pew Research Center found that of the 3.75 million people working near minimum wage jobs, the highest percentage of them are employed in the industry of restaurant/food service, where their real pay is likely higher dueShow MoreRelatedWorking Poor : The Work Poor Essay1277 Words   |  6 Pagestimes social policies are created to assist the people who are working but still struggle to get basic needs like food, utilities, gas, and medical. Poverty is a perpetuating cycle that is intended to keep the poor oppressed and discriminated against. 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I will discussRead MorePoverty in the United States1413 Words   |  6 PagesPoverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum standard of living that is considered acceptable in society. In the next few paragraphs I will explain some of the causes of poverty, some consequences of poverty and I will recommend a solution to tackling long-term poverty in the United States Explaining the causes of poverty is difficult because poverty itself is a very complex situation. The simple explanation of povertyRead MoreNickel And Dimed : On ( Not ) Getting1175 Words   |  5 Pages(Not) Getting By in America details the work of Barbara Ehrenreich who undertook an economic social experiment to see if single mothers can survive financially with low wage jobs by integrating into the role of single mother entering the workforce. 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Across Five Aprils free essay sample

A possibility of war brought tension on the Creighton’s family as well as in the community.   Ellen and Matt were the most worried. On the other hand, Eb and Tom were not worried at all even on the thought that the President was so hesitant to declare war. Shad, the schoolteacher and lover of Jenny, informed the family of the news that the Confederate army has fired on Fort Sumter.   With the unceasing news of war, Tom and Eb left home in late summer to fight in the war together with Bill even he seemed to be oblivion of the things around him.   Later on, Shad and John also left to fight leaving Jethro home. One day, Jethro was instructed to go to Newton which is a 15-mile away from their place to do some errand.   As he reached Newton, he went in to the general store where several men gathered around the fireplace and one of them was Guy Wortman who scornfully criticized Bill. We will write a custom essay sample on Across Five Aprils or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page After Wortman left, Ross Milton comforted Jethro and invited him to a dinner.   After the dinner, Milton warned Jethro of a possible danger on his way home. With this in mind, Jethro was terrified on his journey home but along the way Dave Burdow accompanied him.   When they reached the end of the bridge, a man suddenly leaped out and whipped the horse but they were able to manage to calm the horse and back on the road. As he reached home, the family learned the danger Jethro met along the way that caused a heart attack on Matt.   Due to this, Jethro was obliged to do the farm work and chores around the house. Since the news has not yet stopped, the people in the community were losing hope.   The news on the deserters also frightened the people the more and one of them was Eb.   One time, three men from Federal Registrars came to Creighton home and looked for Eb. Accidentally while Jethro was helping John in the field, he heard a strange sound and finally discovered Eb, who was so thin and hungry.   Distraught by what he saw, Jethro sent letter to the President for a pardon for Eb, and it happened. One day, the Creighton’s received a letter from Shad’s aunt, informing them that Shad was in a critical condition after a fight in the battle.   Jenny went to see Shad in Washington, and soon, he was in good health and married Jenny. Winter came, rumors spread on the end of the war.   The President declared a proclamation amnesty giving pardon to the army of the Confederate state.   In 1864, the President was reelected.   After sometime, the Creighton’s received a news through John that Bill was held captive. When war was nearing to end, the townspeople were happy but an assassination of the President caused a grief.   Jethro was depressed of the news.   Jenny and Shad went back to the town from Washington. Since the time is uncertain, and Jethro was growing much like Bill, Shad and Jenny decided to take him to the East to have a good education. 1.  Ã‚   Describe Shadrach Yales background and his relationship with the Creighton family, especially Jenny. Shadrach Yales was a physics college student from Philadelphia and worked in Jasper County to support himself.   He was a local schoolteacher fascinated with books.   Jethro considered Shad as a role model.   Shad has a special relationship with the Creighton family.   He was treated as part of the family.   He was in love with one of the Creighton’s, Jenny.   Though Matt did not give him the permission to marry Jenny before he left for war, still he respected the decision and later on they were married. 2.  Ã‚     Describe Jethro’s trip to Newton and what happened when he got there. One day, Jethro was instructed by Matt to go to Newton to do some errand.   Given with the task, Jethro felt responsible enough to accomplish what was required of him.   On his way, he met an old man who asked a favor from him of a newspaper on his return.   Before noon he reached Newton, bustling with people and shops.   He went into one of the stores and saw a lot of people around a fireplace. There a man named Wortman who was slightly drunk heard of him as one of the Creighton’s boys, scornfully ridicule Bill.   Jethro tried to defend Bill and the man became more angry that Milton defended him.   As soon as Wortman left the store, Milton comforted Jethro and invited him over to dinner.   During their dinner, Jethro received a warm acquaintance and a book, written by Milton himself. 3.  Ã‚     Describe how Mary Creighton died and the role of Travis Budrow in her death. It was winter of 1959, when Mary was killed in an accident.   Mary Creighton went to dancing with Rob Nelson at Hidalgo.   It was a night of rejoicing and clamor.   Unfortunately, on their way back home, they met along the way Travis Budrow who was drunk.   Travis suddenly fired a pistol over their horses.   The animals were frightened; the wagon was overturned and caused the death of Mary. Reference (2000-2006). Across Five Aprils. Retrieved September 05, 2008, from Bookrags Book Notes.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Web site http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-across-five-aprils/plotsummary.html

Why I Am Afraid Of Bees Essays - Beehive, Bee,

Why I Am Afraid Of Bees The story starts off with Gary Lutz sitting under his big oak tree in his back yard reading his comic books. Then Gary's pain in the butt neighbor, Mr. Andretti, keeps scaring Gary by telling Gary that Mr. Andretti's beehive has gone crazy. Gary falls for it every time because Gary is afraid of bees. All day, Gary reads his comic books because he hates to do anything else. No one likes Gary because they think he's a nerd, because he stinks at sports and looks weird. For instance, one time Gary was lined up to play baseball with the other students and was last in line, and at the end of the game they lost because he struck out. So, one of the big kids came up to him and punched him in the nose, so Gary ended up having to go home with a bloody nose. The next day Gary found an ad while surfing on the web. It said in big bold letters, "Body Swapping. Switch Bodies With Someone Else for One Whole Week." Gary liked that idea because he needed a long vacation from himself. He decided that he would go to the body-swapping place the next day since it was only few blocks away. (What a coincidence) The next day Gary went to the company and asked if he could switch bodies with someone else. The lady at the front desk, named Ms. Karmen, gave a picture to Gary and asked if he wanted to switch bodies with boy his age named Barry. Gary said he would because this guy was really cool looking. Ms. Karmen said she would come to his house the next day. The next day Ms. Karmen showed up on time and set up the equipment. She started the machine. Then something went wrong. Gary turned into a bee! Ms. Karmen didn't know what happened to Gary, so she took her equipment and left. Gary tried to get help, but he couldn't because he was just a bee. Gary found out that one of Mr. Andretti's bees got in the machine. Gary got used to how a bee flies, and then he went outside to get some pollen because he was hungry. After his meal, Gary went for a flight but got caught in a net! It was Mr. Andretti. He thought that Gary was one of the lost bees from his hive, and Mr. Andretti put Gary in this big dark beehive. Gary tried to get out but he couldn't. Then Gary remembered something. Bees have to leave the hive to get pollen to make honey! There had to be a way out! So Gary started looking. All these bees started chasing Gary, and Gary didn't know why. All these bees surrounded Gary and aimed their stingers at him. He found out that they were moving Gary aside, because another bee was doing a dance. Gary remembered that when bees do a dance, it means they're giving directions to other bees where good pollen is. Gary wandered around a little bit. Gary thought that he was in a big scary maze. Then Gary found a little hole. It was an exit! Gary hurried and got himself out of there. The light was so bright Gary felt as if he were on the sun. The first thing that popped into Gary's mind was going to Ms. Karmen, so Gary started flying to the company. When Gary got there the door wasn't open, so Gary slipped in the mail slot. Gary saw Ms. Karmen, but he realized that he couldn't get to her because there was a Plexiglas wall between her and Gary. Gary slipped under Ms. Karmen's desk. Gary remembered that he couldn't talk to anyone because he had such a small voice. Then Gary remembered that Ms. Karmen had a microphone to speak to the kids through the Plexiglas wall. Gary flew over to the microphone and spoke through it to get Ms. Karmen's attention. Once Ms. Karmen had realized where Gary was, she sadly said that Barry didn't want to give up being Gary because Barry was teaching everyone how to skateboard, and all the girls liked him. Gary was very upset, so he immediately flew to his house, where Barry was. When Gary got there, he knew that he would die if he stung Barry, but because he was so upset and not thinking clearly Gary stung Barry anyway. Suddenly everything started to fade,