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

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

He sensed his opportunity in Khrushchev's second, resounding de-Stalinization speech in 1961.

From Time Magazine Archive

The de-Stalinization campaign in the Soviet Union had serious repercussions in the internal situation in Albania.

From Area Handbook for Albania by Elpern, Sarah Jane