de-Stalinization

or de·sta·lin·i·za·tion

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

noun

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, place names, etc., named for Stalin.

Origin of de-Stalinization

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

British Dictionary definitions for de-stalinization

de-Stalinization

de-Stalinisation

/ (diːˌstɑːlɪnaɪˈzeɪʃən) /

noun

the elimination of the influence of Stalin

Cultural definitions for de-stalinization

de-Stalinization
[ (dee-stah-luh-nuh-zay-shuhn) ]

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.