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Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 12 · History

What Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present covers in ICSE Class 12 History: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

70 questions40 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 12 History · 2026-27

Topics in Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present

1

1. Khrushchev and de-Stalinization, 1953-64

  • After Stalin's death in 1953, no single leader was obvious, so power was shared at first.
  • Malenkov became chairman of the Council of Ministers, Khrushchev became party secretary, and Beria headed the secret police.
  • Beria was executed after Stalin's death, while Malenkov resigned in 1955 after disagreeing with Khrushchev on industrial policy.
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2. Brezhnev era, stagnation, and control, 1964-85

  • After Khrushchev's fall, power was initially shared by Kosygin, Brezhnev, and Podgorny.
  • Kosygin was first the leading figure and chief spokesman on foreign affairs, but Brezhnev eclipsed him in the early 1970s after a dispute over economic decentralization.
  • Brezhnev established firm personal control by 1977 and remained leader until his death in November 1982.
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3. Gorbachev, reform, and the collapse of communism, 1985-91

  • Gorbachev came to power in March 1985 at age 54.
  • His main policies were glasnost and perestroika.
  • Glasnost means openness, especially in politics, media, and public discussion.
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4. Yeltsin, shock therapy, and the crisis of post-communist Russia, 1991-99

  • Yeltsin became the central figure in post-communist Russia.
  • He was president of Russia from 1991 until the end of December 1999.
  • Yegor Gaidar, a young monetarist economist, designed shock therapy.

Key Concepts

Central concept: The rise, reform, collapse, and aftermath of communism in the USSR and Russia from 1953 to the present

1953-64 Khrushchev era1964-85 Brezhnev eraAndropov and Chernenko1985-91 Gorbachev reform and collapseEastern Europe and the Cold WarHuman rights and dissent1991-2012 post-communist RussiaEconomic transition

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present for ICSE Class 12 History?
Key topics in Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present include Khrushchev and de-Stalinization, 1953-64, Brezhnev era, stagnation, and control, 1964-85, Gorbachev, reform, and the collapse of communism, 1985-91, Yeltsin, shock therapy, and the crisis of post-communist Russia, 1991-99. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present for the ICSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 70 practice questions on Continuing communism, collapse and aftermath, 1953 to the present. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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