Public speeches by N.S. Khrushchev in the late 1950s – early 1960s: the experience of source analysis

Abstract

The paper considers to the source analyses of N.S. Khrushchev’s public speeches in USSR in the mid 1950-s and early 1960-s. Referring to the analysis of the unpublished archival documents (F. 52, Russian State Archive of Contemporary History), letters and diaries, the author attempts to identify the research possibilities of using this source. Author identifies individual stages of Khrushchev’s speeches, determines the circle of participants in this process and the direct role of the Soviet leader in it. At all official events, Khrushchev made prepared speeches, which were published in the press and on the basis of which Soviet citizens evaluated the event in general and the head of the USSR in particular. Despite the creation of speeches by the press group, Khrushchev personally took an active part in their preparation by dictating additions. In the final versions all additions were taken into account without corrections. The texts of the speeches contained elements of «Khrushchev’s style» (anecdotes, jokes, proverbs, stories from life), introduced by members of the press group with the tacit consent of the leader. The author shows the presence in Khrushchev's speeches of both traditional features for such sources and innovations. These features make the public speeches of the third Soviet leader a valuable source for studying the Soviet political regime during the «thaw».