In 1953, the Soviet Army revolted after the head of the NKVD, Beria was sworn in as General Secretary. What would need to happen and who would become the next General Secretary? Would the Soviet Union survive to the turn of the millennium?
The Algerian genocide still gives me shivers. I know a few guys whose parents fled the country during the De Gaulle era. 1958 must never be forgotten!The USSR not descending into another civil war is near ASB. Stalin didn't let anyone actually able to lead the country live, they were too much of a threat. A lot would be changed, both good and bad. The USSR's Eastern European colonies would remain under Soviet rule instead of turning mostly into SD led governments. The USSR would have remained instead of breaking up into Russia and the various independent republics. Germany probably wouldn't have been reunited after giving up parts of itself to Poland and France and be forced to have a pacifist government with its independence guaranteed by the US.
On the good side there wouldn't have been a bloody mess in Russia... again. The first half of the 20th century really screwed Russia, two world wars and two bloody civil wars. Decolonization would probably be quicker. The civil rights movement would have probably been quicker. The decolonization of Africa and Asia probably would have been less violent
Stalin didn't let anyone actually able to lead the country live, they were too much of a threat.
I am not sure it matters, Zhukov was a general not a politician and had no political ambitions that I know of. Even if he did would he have been any good at it?Could Stalin left Zhukov alive? I know he officially died due to "traffic accident" ala Patton, but most believe Stalin killed him, but didn't dare to use the regular purge because Zhukov was too popular, being war hero and all.
Maybe have Stalin think killing Zhukov is not worth the risk and instead left him live in obscurity, only for him to rise once Stalin died?
Russia wouldn't be nearly as religious as it is today.