1. Power Struggle and Collective Leadership:
- Following Stalin's death, Malenkov emerged as one of the leading figures in the collective leadership that succeeded him. Initially, Malenkov was considered the most powerful figure in the Soviet Union.
- However, he soon faced opposition from rival leaders within the party, particularly Nikita Khrushchev. Malenkov was unable to consolidate his power, and his influence gradually declined.
2. Economic Reforms:
- Malenkov's tenure was marked by attempts to reform the Soviet economy. He proposed policies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and increasing consumer goods production.
- One notable initiative was the Virgin Lands Campaign, which sought to expand grain production by cultivating vast tracts of land in Kazakhstan and other regions. While initially successful, the campaign encountered challenges and did not yield the expected long-term results.
3. Foreign Policy:
- Malenkov's foreign policy was characterized by a continuation of Stalin's hardline approach. He pursued a policy of confrontation with the West, emphasizing the expansion of Soviet influence and ideological competition.
- During his tenure, the USSR experienced tensions with the United States, particularly over issues such as the Korean War and the arms race.
4. Internal Policies:
- Malenkov implemented some measures aimed at improving living conditions for Soviet citizens. He authorized a modest increase in the production of consumer goods and took steps to address housing shortages.
- However, these reforms did not represent a significant departure from Stalinist policies and were not sufficient to address the broader issues facing Soviet society.
5. Fall from Power:
- Malenkov's position weakened due to his inability to effectively manage the internal power struggles within the Communist Party.
- He eventually lost the support of key party members and was removed from the position of Premier in February 1955. Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the dominant figure in Soviet leadership following Malenkov's downfall.
Overall, Malenkov's tenure as Premier was relatively brief and marked by his attempts to reform certain aspects of the Soviet system while maintaining the core Stalinist framework. His policies had limited success and ultimately led to his removal from power.