Following Stalin's death, the Soviet Union and the entire Eastern Bloc entered a period known as the "thaw," named after a novella by Soviet writer Ilya Ehrenburg. This era was characterized by a cautious critique of Stalinist conditions, leading many staunch communists to realize that the pursuit of the supposedly most progressive system in human history had taken a fatally wrong turn under Stalin's rule. Fear permeated the environment, as even party officials faced the constant threat of being swept away by new purges, raising questions about the viability of their lives in that atmosphere of terror.

The 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party, which began on February 14, 1956, was the first after Stalin's death. Following Stalin, there was a power struggle within the upper echelons of the Soviet leadership, and the convening of the congress signified a certain consolidation of power rather than an open arena for the exchange of ideas. However, First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev transformed this congress into a pivotal moment in the history of Soviet communism by publicly condemning Stalin's policies and practices, thus opening the door to reform and discussion.

Khrushchev's secret speech not only initiated the thaw but also highlighted the challenges of reconciling the socialist aspirations with the oppressive reality created during Stalin's regime. This moment is viewed as a double-edged sword that led to both a temporary liberalization and later on violence and repression, ultimately demonstrating the complexities and contradictions within Soviet communism during this turbulent time.