Nikita Khrushchev

As the leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, Nikita Khrushchev initiated significant reforms, including the de-Stalinization process, which denounced the repressive policies of Joseph Stalin and sought to liberalize the Soviet political climate. He promoted agricultural reforms, notably the Virgin Lands Campaign, to boost food production. Khrushchev also played a pivotal role in the Cold War, engaging in events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear conflict. His leadership was marked by a mix of domestic reforms and confrontational foreign policy.

The speech was intended to get the Commies to jump ship from the the brutal dictatorship of Stalin and move to reforming the Soviet Union by the concept of De-Stalinization. This entailed a liberalized economy, meaning instead of budget being spent on the military it went towards food and consumer goods of ordinary people. It also mean that there would be more cultural freedom for the people-- although still quite limited. This speech gave the people hope to modernize the Soviet bloc, but would soon would be frozen by Bruchnev. (incorrect spelling of his name) who would replace Khruschev and attemp to restore the status quo.