Karl Renner vs Nikita Khrushchev

On October 30, 1918, Renner was elected as the first chancellor of the newly proclaimed Republic of German-Austria. He led the provisional government that succeeded the Habsburg monarchy after World War I, overseeing the transition from empire to republic.

As chancellor, Renner signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 10, 1919. The treaty formally ended World War I for Austria, forced the dissolution of the union with Germany, and imposed territorial losses and reparations on the new republic.

On April 29, 1945, Renner was elected as the first president of the re-established Republic of Austria after World War II. He formed a provisional government with Soviet approval, laying the foundation for Austria's post-war independence and democratic reconstruction.

Khrushchev delivered a closed-session speech to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, denouncing Stalin's cult of personality and crimes. This speech initiated de-Stalinization, leading to political reforms and the release of political prisoners.

Under Khrushchev's leadership, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. This achievement sparked the Space Race and demonstrated Soviet technological superiority at the time.

Khrushchev issued an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Western forces from West Berlin within six months. The ultimatum escalated Cold War tensions but was eventually dropped after negotiations, leading to the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

Khrushchev authorized the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to a 13-day confrontation with the United States. The crisis ended with a negotiated withdrawal of missiles from both Cuba and Turkey, averting nuclear war.

Khrushchev was removed from his positions as First Secretary and Premier by the Communist Party leadership, led by Leonid Brezhnev. The ouster was due to his erratic policies, the Cuban Missile Crisis fallout, and agricultural failures.