I know after Stalins death there was a power struggle for the next leader and Nikita Khrushchev came on top, could someone just summarize what happened in general Power struggle began while Stalin was still dieing and number of new appointments was made in 5 of March or soon after (Molotov become Minister of Foreign Affairs in 5, Malenkov become Prime Minister day latter, Bulganin took over as Minister of Defense in 15 and so on), while "Troyka" (Malenkov, Beria, Molotov) stood-up as provisional leaders.

Beria was first to make a grab- in 5 of March he merged Ministry for State Security in to his own Ministry of Internal Affairs taking control of all security forces and basically overexposed himself so first act of post-Stalin struggle was "all against Beria". This faze ended in 26 of June, then Beria- betrayed by Serov- was arrested in Politburo meeting.

Then were was a sort-of stalemate for a few years, with two notable groups forming. One was Khrushchev-Bulganin group. Khrushchev become new leader of the party soon after deposition of Beria, Bulganin remained in control of the ministry of defense.

Molotov initially was supportive of Khrushchev- but soon drifted towards Malenkov (Chairman of the Council of Ministers) forming conservative faction, latter known as the anti-party group. Khrushchev launched attack in February of 1955, forcing Malenkov to resign in favor of Bulganin. Zhukov- Khrushchev 's man- become new Minister of Defense. Malenkov, however, remained in cabinet (as Deputy Chairman) and with Molotov continued to resist Khrushchev. All hell went loose after so-called "secret speech" in XX Party Congress in February. China and Albania denounced it as "revisionism", unrest in Poland and Hungary started, stalinists were openly rioting in Georgia and so on. Malenkov-Molotov group began to rally for Khrushchev's removal . In June of 1957 gang made they attempt. By that time group was joined by another old guard stalinist- Kaganovich and Shepilov, who was a close ally of Khrushchev before that (Khrushchev choose him to replace Molotov as Foreign Minister). Shepilov's motives are a bit of mystery, he most likely miscalculated the situation. Anyway, the anti-party group demanded for Khrushchev to resign in Politburo meeting. 7 of 11 voted for the motion, however question was laid to rest in extraordinary session of the Central Committee, when Zhukov stated that he will use armed forces to defend Khrushchev.

And the final act was ousting of Zhukov himself. He was removed from all positions in October during his state visit in Albania. On reason why, there is two theories- one, more-or-less official and championed by Zhukov himself, says that Khrushchev- just like Stalin before him- was simply jealous and envious of Zhukov's amazing personality and multitude of talents. More realistic one states that Khrushchev was simply more cunning politician that brutish marshal and simply outmaneuvered him in power struggle. Zhukov was replaced by more competent military officer with significantly lesser political ambitions (Malinovsky). Removal of Zhukov and resignation of Bulganin in 23 of March, 1958 finalized post-Stalin power struggle. XXII Party Congress (1961) was formal "final touch"- there Khrushchev formally expelled from party most of defeated rivals.

N.B. This is very sketchy outline. I'm just outlined few major points of large and long story. Take it for what it is. the fate of the other soviet leaders trying to ascend after Stalin? A bit of repetition of above, but why not. Dramatis personæ (abriged) Main cast

• Lavrentiy Beria Best remembered as chief of NKVD, he lost minister position in 1946 but still held control over security apparatus and personally supervised many of important operations, while struggling with Abakumov's clan. After Stalin's death moved fast and quickly to seize control only to be arrested and- after mock tribunal- executed.
• Georgy Malenkov Staunch, hardliner stalinist, head of anti-Khrushchev group. After anti-party group fiasco expelled from party and sent in to Kazakhstan as director of factory.
• Vyacheslav Molotov Bolshevik from before WWI, one of the closest associates of Stalin, seen as possible new leader by many stalinists. Initially supportive of Khrushchev soon become key member of the anti-party group. After defeat, spend few years in insignificant diplomatic positions (like representative in the International Atomic Energy Agency). After XXII Congress forced in to full retirement.
• Georgy Zhukov Khrushchev's associate from the pre-war time. Played role of muscle in Khrushchev gang. Forced in to retirement in 1957. Turned in to propaganda idol during Brezhnev period.
• Lazar Kaganovich another pre-WWI Bolshevik and hardline stalinist. Khrushchev was once his protege. After defeat sent in to Ural as director of factory.
• Dmitri Shepilov from a younger generation of Bolsheviks, Khrushchev's protege. After defeat send in to State Archive as clerk.
• Nikolai Bulganin one of the main allies of Khrushchev tried to held a middle ground in 1957. Soon after that was forced to resign from the Council of Ministers and in to full retirement. Lesser actors
• Ivan Serov one of the closest colleagues of Beria. Knew Khrushchev from pre-war time. His betrayal played a key part in demise of Beria. Replaced his former chief as head of State Security and become first head of KGB in 1954. Took over military inteligence few years latter, removed after Cuba Crisis. Expelled from party after Khrushchev's downfall.
• Mikhail Pervukhin Politbiuro member who voted for Khrushchev's removal. Typical soviet technocrat. Disliked Khrushchev because of his economic reforms. Removed from Politburo and send as ambassador in East Germany.
• Maksim Saburov Politburo member who voted for Khrushchev's removal. Typical soviet technocrat. Molenkov's man. Sent in to Samara as director of factory.