1956 Georgian Demonstrations — the full case file

Georgia's KGB chief sent Moscow a telegram minimizing the death toll from the Tbilisi crackdown. In March 1956, protests in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities against Khrushchev's de-Stalinization "Secret Speech" escalated over several days into demands for Georgian independence, culminating in Soviet Army units opening fire on demonstrators on the night of 9–10 March, killing at least 21 people and wounding 55. On March 5, 1953, Joseph Stalin dies, triggering a power struggle in Moscow. In June 1953, Lavrentiy Beria is arrested and executed. On February 25, 1956, Khrushchev delivers the "Secret Speech" denouncing Stalin at the Twentieth Party Congress. On March 4, 1956, Spontaneous gatherings begin near the Stalin monument in Tbilisi to commemorate the anniversary of Stalin's death. On March 5, 1956, Crowds at the Stalin monument grow to an estimated 10,000 by evening; similar gatherings occur in other Georgian cities. On March 7, 1956, Demonstrations spread to Rustaveli Avenue as many students skip classes to join protests. On March 8, 1956, Protesters march on the Krtsanisi government residence where Marshal Zhu De is staying; demands radicalize to include removal of Khrushchev and Mikoyan and Georgian independence. On March 9, 1956, Official memorial ceremonies are held; Mzhavanadze addresses the crowd, but many protesters refuse to disperse. On March 10, 1956, Soviet Army soldiers open fire on demonstrators overnight; tanks are deployed; final dispersal occurs at the Stalin monument, resulting in at least 21 killed and 55 wounded, and over 200 arrests. In December 1956, Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Merab Kostava are arrested for distributing anti-Soviet leaflets linking the March crackdown to calls for independence. The case is recorded as solved. This case file is kept in memory of the victims and the people who loved them. The full sourced case file, with every fact cited, is at casepin dot org.

Transcript from the video’s narration track. For every source, open the case file.