(Feb. 1425, 1956) Meeting at which Nikita Khrushchev repudiated Joseph Stalin and Stalinism .
Khrushchev's secret speech denouncing the former Soviet leader was accompanied by his Report of the Central Committee to the Congress, which announced a new line in Soviet foreign policy. He based his new policy on "the Leninist principle of coexistence of states with different social systems." Khrushchev also used the Congress to promote his loyal supporters to high party office and to take control of the party from the Stalinist old guard.