The aim of this thesis is an analysis of economic development in Soviet Union during the era of Nikita S. Khrushchev. The thesis examines reforms initiated after 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, primarily agriculture and industry. Simultaneously is analyzed socioeconomic situation of post-Stalinist Soviet Union and reasons obliging Khrushchev to plan and carry through with reforms. Efficiency of these reforms, their effect on soviet economy and on standard of living of soviet citizens will be evaluated. As a source will be used monographies, sub-studies and archive materials.

The main goal of the thesis was to find out why leaders decide the way they do. Using the example of the Cuban Crisis from 1962 I try to analyze the decision making process of the american president John F. Kennedy and the soviet leader Nikita S. Khrushchev. The Cuban Crisis was the most dangerous moment since World War II and the world got to the edge of a nuclear war. The lives of thousands of people were in the hands of the two leaders. Their decision making process was influenced by many internal and external factors and in this thesis I am trying to find out which factors and to what extent had the biggest influence on their decisions.

The main aim of this diploma work is to present the main topics of the soviet geopolitical thinking. The main thesis are presented at the beggining of the work and were influenced mainly by personality of Joseph Stalin. At the end of the first chapter those main goals of the soviet geopolitics are evaluated as well as the role of Stalin for the USSR. The timeline of this diploma work streches from 1953 - 1982 and the main events of this period are mentioned. At the end the role of the three soviet leaders is summarized and their actions evaluated.