Nikita Khrushchev

Khrushchev delivered a closed-session speech to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, denouncing Stalin's cult of personality and crimes. This speech initiated de-Stalinization, leading to political reforms and the release of political prisoners.

Under Khrushchev's leadership, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. This achievement sparked the Space Race and demonstrated Soviet technological superiority at the time.

Khrushchev issued an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Western forces from West Berlin within six months. The ultimatum escalated Cold War tensions but was eventually dropped after negotiations, leading to the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

Khrushchev authorized the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to a 13-day confrontation with the United States. The crisis ended with a negotiated withdrawal of missiles from both Cuba and Turkey, averting nuclear war.

Khrushchev was removed from his positions as First Secretary and Premier by the Communist Party leadership, led by Leonid Brezhnev. The ouster was due to his erratic policies, the Cuban Missile Crisis fallout, and agricultural failures.