Alexei Kosygin

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Alexei Kosygin

Role / Field:

Soviet statesman who chaired the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1980.

Born:

1904-02-08

Died:

1980-12-18

Century / Era:

1904s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alexei Nikolayevich Kosygin (21 February [O.S. 8 February] 1904 – 18 December 1980) was a Soviet statesman who served as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1980. Following Nikita Khrushchev's removal from power, he briefly led the Soviet Union as part of a triumvirate in the mid-to-late 1960s. Alexei Kosygin was born in the city of Saint Petersburg in 1904 to a Russian working-class family. During the Russian Civil War, he was conscripted into the labour army. After the Red Army's demobilization in 1921, he worked in Siberia as an industrial manager.

Career & Major Achievements

In the early 1930s, Kosygin returned to Leningrad and worked his way up the Soviet hierarchy. During the Great Patriotic War (World War II), Kosygin was tasked by the State Defence Committee with moving Soviet industry out of territories soon to be overrun by the German Army. He served as Minister of Finance for a year before becoming Minister of Light Industry (later, Minister of Light Industry and Food). However, in 1952, Stalin removed Kosygin from the Politburo, thereby weakening Kosygin's position within the Soviet hierarchy. Following Stalin's death in 1953, Kosygin was appointed chairman of the State Planning Committee (Gosplan) on 20 March 1959.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Later, in 1960, he was promoted to First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers. When Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power on 14 October 1964, Kosygin and Leonid Brezhnev succeeded him as Chairman of the Council of Ministers and First Secretary of the Communist Party respectively. Thereafter, he formed a triumvirate alongside Brezhnev and Central Committee Secretary Nikolai Podgorny that led the Soviet regime in Khrushchev's place. Upon Khrushchev's ouster, Alexei Kosygin initially emerged as the Soviet Union's head of government in both name and practice. In addition to overseeing the country's economy, he assumed a preeminent role in directing its foreign policy.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1904 (1904-02-08): Birth of Alexei Kosygin — Soviet statesman who chaired the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1980.
2. 1921: 1921 Milestone — After the Red Army's demobilization in 1921, he worked in Siberia as an industrial manager.
3. 1952: 1952 Milestone — However, in 1952, Stalin removed Kosygin from the Politburo, thereby weakening Kosygin's position within the Soviet hierarchy.
4. 1953: 1953 Milestone — Following Stalin's death in 1953, Kosygin was appointed chairman of the State Planning Committee (Gosplan) on 20 March 1959.
5. 1960: 1960 Milestone — Later, in 1960, he was promoted to First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
6. 1964: 1964 Milestone — When Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power on 14 October 1964, Kosygin and Leonid Brezhnev succeeded him as Chairman of the Council of Ministers and First Secretary of the Communist Party respectively.
7. 1980 (1980-12-18): Passing & Historical Legacy — Alexei Kosygin passed away on 1980-12-18, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Alexei Kosygin

“"Co-operation – the path to socialism!"”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Alexei Kosygin

True or False: “Kosygin was immediately appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers upon Khrushchev's removal in 1964.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He succeeded Khrushchev as head of government in a triumvirate alongside Leonid Brezhnev and Nikolai Podgorny.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Alexei Kosygin