de-Stalinization

American  

[dee-stah-luh-nuh-zey-shuhn, -stal-uh-] / diˌstɑ lə nəˈzeɪ ʃən, -ˌstæl ə- /

Or destalinization

noun

1. the policy, pursued in most Communist areas and among most Communist groups after 1956, of eradicating the memory or influence of Stalin and Stalinism, as by alteration of governmental policies or the elimination of monuments, placenames, etc., named for Stalin.

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de-Stalinization British  

/ diːˌstɑːlɪnaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the elimination of the influence of Stalin

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de-Stalinization Cultural  

1. An effort after the death of the Soviet premier Joseph Stalin to soften some of the repressive measures used by his government. Premier Nikita Khrushchev was a leader in the de-Stalinization movement, which involved the downgrading of Stalin's reputation.

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Etymology

Origin of de-Stalinization

First recorded in 1955–60; de-Stalinize + -ation

Example Sentences

This kind of rhetoric is evidence of the cult of personality that would be disavowed a few years later when Nikita Khrushchev came to power and undertook a program of de-Stalinization.

From New York Times • May 6, 2021

During the period of de-Stalinization in the 1950 and early ’60s, the city’s name was again changed, to Donetsk.

From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2012

Hoxha broke with Moscow over Nikita Khrushchev's de-Stalinization drive in the early 1960s.

From Time Magazine Archive

In his celebrated de-Stalinization speech, Khrushchev cited the national anthem as an example of the dictator's passion for self-glorification, calling it a "clear deviation from Marxism-Leninism, debasing and belittling the role of the party."

From Time Magazine Archive

Throughout the 1968-70 period the Ceausescu regime continued a gradual and cautious policy of de-Stalinization in domestic affairs and continued, as well, to assert the country's independent stance in international relations.

From Area Handbook for Romania by Bernier, Donald W.