Anastas Mikoyan

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Anastas Mikoyan

Role / Field:

Long-serving Soviet statesman, diplomat, and Bolshevik revolutionary from Armenia.

Born:

1895-11-13

Died:

1978-10-21

Century / Era:

1895s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Anastas Ivanovich Mikoyan (US: ; Russian: Анастас Иванович Микоян, IPA: [ɐnɐsˈtas ɨˈvanəvʲɪtɕ mʲɪkɐˈjan]; Armenian: Անաստաս Հովհաննեսի Միկոյան, romanized: Anastas Hovhannesi Mikoyan; 25 November [O.S. 13 November] 1895 – 21 October 1978) was a Soviet statesman, diplomat, and Bolshevik revolutionary. An ethnic Armenian, he served as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, the head of state of the Soviet Union. As a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee from 1923 to 1976, Mikoyan was the only Soviet politician who remained in power from Lenin, through the eras of Stalin and Khrushchev, to his retirement under Brezhnev. His longevity inspired the popular Russian saying "from Ilyich [Lenin] to Ilyich [Brezhnev] without heart attack and paralysis". A native of Armenia's northern Lori region, Mikoyan joined the Bolsheviks in 1915, and following the October Revolution of 1917 participated in the Baku Commune.

Career & Major Achievements

In the 1920s, he was the party's boss in the North Caucasus. Mikoyan was elected to the Politburo in 1935, served as foreign trade minister from 1926 to 1930 and again from 1938, and during World War II became a member of the State Defense Committee. After the war, Mikoyan began to lose favour, losing his position as minister in 1949 and being criticized by Stalin at the 19th Party Congress in 1952. Following Stalin's death in 1953, Mikoyan sided with Khrushchev, supported him against a failed coup in 1957, and played a leading role in crafting his de-Stalinization policy. Under Khrushchev, Mikoyan played an important role in Soviet foreign policy, making several key trips to the United States and communist Cuba.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He acquired an important stature on the international diplomatic scene, especially with his skill in exercising soft power to further Soviet interests. In 1964, Khrushchev was forced to step down in a coup that brought Brezhnev to power. Mikoyan briefly served as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, the official head of state, from 1964 until his resignation in 1965. Mikoyan was born to Armenian parents in 1895 in the village of Sanahin, then part of the Tiflis Governorate of the Russian Empire (today part of Alaverdi in Armenia's Lori Province). His father, Hovhannes, was a carpenter and his mother, a rug weaver.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1895 (1895-11-13): Birth of Anastas Mikoyan — Long-serving Soviet statesman, diplomat, and Bolshevik revolutionary from Armenia.
2. 1915: 1915 Milestone — A native of Armenia's northern Lori region, Mikoyan joined the Bolsheviks in 1915, and following the October Revolution of 1917 participated in the Baku Commune.
3. 1923: 1923 Milestone — As a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee from 1923 to 1976, Mikoyan was the only Soviet politician who remained in power from Lenin, through the eras of Stalin and Khrushchev, to his retirement under Brezhnev.
4. 1935: 1935 Milestone — Mikoyan was elected to the Politburo in 1935, served as foreign trade minister from 1926 to 1930 and again from 1938, and during World War II became a member of the State Defense Committee.
5. 1949: 1949 Milestone — After the war, Mikoyan began to lose favour, losing his position as minister in 1949 and being criticized by Stalin at the 19th Party Congress in 1952.
6. 1953: 1953 Milestone — Following Stalin's death in 1953, Mikoyan sided with Khrushchev, supported him against a failed coup in 1957, and played a leading role in crafting his de-Stalinization policy.
7. 1964: 1964 Milestone — In 1964, Khrushchev was forced to step down in a coup that brought Brezhnev to power.
8. 1978 (1978-10-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Anastas Mikoyan passed away on 1978-10-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Anastas Mikoyan

“I had a very clear feeling that I didn't believe in God and that I had in fact received a certificate in materialist uncertainty; the more I studied religious subjects, the less I believed in God.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Anastas Mikoyan

True or False: “Did Anastas Mikoyan serve continuously in power from Lenin through Stalin and Khrushchev to his retirement under Brezhnev?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text notes he was the only Soviet politician who remained in power across these eras, inspiring a popular saying about continuity.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Pioneering Egyptian jurist, celebrated for authoring the revised Civil Code of 1948.
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• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
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• Aldo Moro — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Italian statesman who served as Prime Minister multiple times, championing the modern Italian centre-left.
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• Abraham Flexner — Shared historical date (11-13 · Born) (1866): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Albert I of Monaco — Shared historical date (11-13 · Born) (1848): Prince of Monaco, devoted to science, exploration, and modernizing the state.
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• 1895 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1895
• November 13 (11-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 13
• 1978 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1978
• October 21 (10-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 21

Frequently Asked Questions about Anastas Mikoyan