The Beginning of the "Thaw," 1953-1955

Following Stalin's death, party leaders in Moscow and the satellites made public pronouncements indicating a sharp break with Communist dogma. "New Course" policies included: concessions to agriculture and peasantry, re adjustment of proportions between heavy and light industry, increase in con sumer-goods production, sharp rise in living standards, and a new respect for "forms of Socialist legality." After the introduction of the first economic re forms the "New Course" took on a political dimension. East European party and governmental leaders found themselves in unfamiliar ground—it was no longer merely a case of what the center chose to do, but how the masses would respond. The "New Course" was not a success and initiative was passing from Communist hands. A strategy of restoration was initiated by Russian leaders who intended that 1955 should be a year of salvage, a going back to pre-"New Course" policy. However, in Eastern Europe this was too late.—Ed.