Mikhail Suslov

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mikhail Suslov

Role / Field:

Soviet statesman, key ideologue, and long-time Secretary of Ideology for the CPSU.

Born:

1902-11-08

Died:

1982-01-25

Century / Era:

1902s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Mikhail Andreyevich Suslov (Russian: Михаи́л Андре́евич Су́слов; 21 November [O.S. 8 November] 1902 – 25 January 1982) was a Soviet politician. In addition to serving as the Central Committee's longtime Secretary of Ideology, he held office as Second Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1965 until his death in 1982. Born in rural Russia in 1902, Suslov became a member of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) in 1921 and studied economics for much of the 1920s. He left his job as a teacher in 1931 to pursue politics full-time, becoming one of the many Soviet politicians who took part in the mass repression begun by Joseph Stalin's regime. He was made First Secretary of Stavropol Krai administrative area in 1939.

Career & Major Achievements

During World War II, Suslov headed the local Stavropol guerrilla movement. After the war, Suslov became a member of the Organisational Bureau (Orgburo) of the Central Committee in 1946. In June 1950, he was elected to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. From 16 October 1952 onwards, he was a full member of the 19th Presidium of the CPSU. In the ensuing shuffle of the Soviet leadership following Stalin's death, Suslov lost much of the recognition and influence he had previously earned.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, by the late 1950s, he had risen to become the leader of the party opposition to First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev. When Khrushchev was ousted in 1964, Suslov supported the establishment of a collective leadership. He also supported inner-party democracy and opposed the reestablishment of the one-man rule as seen during the Stalin and Khrushchev eras. Under the leadership of Leonid Brezhnev, Suslov was considered to be the party's chief ideologue and second-in-command. He ultimately died in office on 25 January 1982.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1902 (1902-11-08): Birth of Mikhail Suslov — Soviet statesman, key ideologue, and long-time Secretary of Ideology for the CPSU.
2. 1931: 1931 Milestone — He left his job as a teacher in 1931 to pursue politics full-time, becoming one of the many Soviet politicians who took part in the mass repression begun by Joseph Stalin's regime.
3. 1939: 1939 Milestone — He was made First Secretary of Stavropol Krai administrative area in 1939.
4. 1946: 1946 Milestone — After the war, Suslov became a member of the Organisational Bureau (Orgburo) of the Central Committee in 1946.
5. 1950: 1950 Milestone — In June 1950, he was elected to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.
6. 1952: 1952 Milestone — From 16 October 1952 onwards, he was a full member of the 19th Presidium of the CPSU.
7. 1964: 1964 Milestone — When Khrushchev was ousted in 1964, Suslov supported the establishment of a collective leadership.
8. 1965: 1965 Milestone — In addition to serving as the Central Committee's longtime Secretary of Ideology, he held office as Second Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1965 until his death in 1982.
9. 1982 (1982-01-25): Passing & Historical Legacy — Mikhail Suslov passed away on 1982-01-25, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mikhail Suslov

True or False: “Suslov's early career involved teaching economics at Moscow State University before dedicating himself fully to party politics.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He studied economics at the Plekhanov Institute of National Economy and later taught at Moscow State University before abandoning teaching for the party apparatus in 1931.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mikhail Suslov