In OTL, the US spent billions building up western Europe to prevent the expanse of the Soviet Union; on the other hand, although the USSR was also flattened after the war, the US declined to send any aid to the Communist nation (the US has defended this as saying that it was in response to Stalin's refusal to stage free elections in the nations he liberated; the Russians claim that Stalin took those nations AFTER the US denied the much-needed aid money).
One scenario:
Now, WI Truman secretly promises to send aid on the condition that Stalin be removed from power? Although the public viewed him as "Uncle Joe," Truman realized Stalin's character after meeting the man (as well as from reports from the Yalta conference), and understood that Stalin was not the best man to rule a powerful nation. Perhaps this suggestion could be slipped to Zhukov, or Khruschev, or Mikoyan, that removal of Stalin could result in the West's acceptance of Soviet domination of eastern Europe and billions of dollars in aid (note, the West could easily go back on this and start to call for free elections in those Western states, but I'm pretty sure that the aid would have to be absolutely guarenteed before anyone moved on Stalin).
Possible TL:
POD: May 8th, 1947: For VE day, several American commanders, including Eisenhower, propose a meeting of the top military commanders of the Allies and the Soviets; billed as the "Reunion of Berlin," it is seen by some as a way to reignite the friendship that had existed during the war years, and which many people fear is being lost to an atmosphere of hostility. The entire affair is the brainchild of Eisenhower, a good friend of Marshall Zhukov, who is shocked to find that most people in Washington believe that there will be a war and are actively posturing against the USSR. That the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army will be attending the reunion is a powerful sign, and Stalin, although already planning on sending Zhukov into relative exile as commander of a unit in Odessa, is forced to send the Marshall of the Soviet Union to avoid being "shown up" by America.
During the reunion, Eisenhower is able to speak candidly with Zhukov, a man he respects as a friend and an ally. Zhukov tells Eisenhower that his invitation to the United States by Ike, although a friendly gesture, has sabotaged Zhukov's status in the USSR by making him seem dangerous to Stalin. Eisenhower tells his friend that the US people don't want war, but the government is terrified of aggressive Soviet actions, and Zhukov corrects him in the now famous line: "Do not mistake Soviet actions for Stalin actions! You want war with Stalin, not with the Soviet Union!"
The USSR, at this point, had been left out of the billions of dollars in general aid that had been given to France and Great Britain; Eisenhower again explained why this was. There had been talks, however, of another aid package, this one more detailed and planned, that would soon be given to western Europe. Eisenhower is sure that none of this much-needed capital will reach the USSR, but he and Zhukov hatch a plan during the last night of the reunion, over two bottles (one vodka, one whiskey): if Zhukov is somehow able to remove Stalin from power, then Eisenhower will make some of their talks (particularly the Soviet desire for peace and friendship, according to Zhukov) public, and will place his reputation (akin to Zhukov's and beloved by the American people) behind the push to extend aid to the USSR.
Zhukov wastes no time, realizing that, particularly with this "reunion," his days are numbered in the eyes of Stalin. He contacts Khruschev, who had been one of the strongest men in the USSR prior to his falling in the eyes of Stalin (and subsequent removal from all positions of power) and Anastas Mikoyan, commissar of trade. Khruschev realizes that his life could very well be forfeit, having been removed from the positions which made him so powerful, and Mikoyan understands that aid from and peace with the West, rather than war, is the only way the USSR can survive. Within a matter of weeks, the three of them gather a power base, the most important of which is the Red Army, which is staunchly behind Zhukov.
When the orders come informing Zhukov that he has been removed from his position as commander of all Soviet ground forces and assigned to a military base in Odessa, the Triumvirate act; within 6 hours, T-34 tanks roll through the streets of Moscow and encircle the Kremlin. An unknown assassin, believed to be a Red Army operative, kills Stalin by stabbing him in the base of the neck with an ice pick as Stalin looks out the window in shock at the tanks. The death, so similar to that of Leon Trotsky, sends a clear message throughout the Soviet elite: Stalin died a traitor. The public, however, is told that Stalin had suffered a heart attack, and that the Red Army troops were sent out to ensure peace and stability. Knowing to destroy the eggs along with the viper, Mikoyan suggests that the NKVD, with its Georgian leader Lavrenti Beria, also be eliminated; although the NKVD office is able to hold out for a few hours, it is eventually destroyed and Beria, accused of plotting to overthrow the USSR upon hearing of Stalin's death, is executed.
The Triumvirate now begin to glare at eachother, but come to an agreement: rather than one ruling the Soviet Union, the office of General Secretary is abolished and turned into dozens of minor jobs, and a ruling council of three will guide the USSR.
As news of Stalin's death reverberates throughout the world, Eisenhower speaks to his friend George C. Marshall, the former general and Secretary of State, who is already planning the aid package that would be known as the Marshall Plan. Eisenhower tells him of the meeting with Zhukov and the sincere Soviet desire for peace with the west, and hints that, if the Soviets aren't helped, the US will be blamed for aggression. It is further hinted that Eisenhower will make public his meeting with Zhukov, and, as such, the "warmongering" of the leadership would ensure that the Democrats would be hounded out of office. Eisenhower goes so far as to state that he himself would run for office to ensure that World War III does not come about.
Thus, in mid 1948, the Marshall Plan is enacted, with some $13 billion going to western Europe, and an additional $4.8 billion dollars invested in the Soviet Union, with another $3 billion spread out over the various eastern European states held by the USSR. The conditions, agreed to by the Council of Three, are that mild capitalism, akin to the NEP, is allowed to exist, and that a timetable is given to the Soviet occupation of eastern Europe; the final date is set to be May 8th, 1960, the fifteenth anniversery of the victory over the Nazis. The Council, however, makes the West agree to recognize the states, even if they elect Communist governments, and the West, somewhat reluctantly, agrees. Thus, the Mikoyan Plan is enacted with the USSR, which diverts a great deal of the Marshall Plan aid directly to the eastern European nations, ensuring that their standard of living under Communism is high enough that it, plus the Soviet control of press and other factors, will ensure that the regions remain under Soviet rule. The one exception to this is east Germany, which the Soviets refuse to simply relinquish so quickly, and which is given a time table of 1975.
What do you guys think? Plausible?
One scenario:
Now, WI Truman secretly promises to send aid on the condition that Stalin be removed from power? Although the public viewed him as "Uncle Joe," Truman realized Stalin's character after meeting the man (as well as from reports from the Yalta conference), and understood that Stalin was not the best man to rule a powerful nation. Perhaps this suggestion could be slipped to Zhukov, or Khruschev, or Mikoyan, that removal of Stalin could result in the West's acceptance of Soviet domination of eastern Europe and billions of dollars in aid (note, the West could easily go back on this and start to call for free elections in those Western states, but I'm pretty sure that the aid would have to be absolutely guarenteed before anyone moved on Stalin).
Possible TL:
POD: May 8th, 1947: For VE day, several American commanders, including Eisenhower, propose a meeting of the top military commanders of the Allies and the Soviets; billed as the "Reunion of Berlin," it is seen by some as a way to reignite the friendship that had existed during the war years, and which many people fear is being lost to an atmosphere of hostility. The entire affair is the brainchild of Eisenhower, a good friend of Marshall Zhukov, who is shocked to find that most people in Washington believe that there will be a war and are actively posturing against the USSR. That the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army will be attending the reunion is a powerful sign, and Stalin, although already planning on sending Zhukov into relative exile as commander of a unit in Odessa, is forced to send the Marshall of the Soviet Union to avoid being "shown up" by America.
During the reunion, Eisenhower is able to speak candidly with Zhukov, a man he respects as a friend and an ally. Zhukov tells Eisenhower that his invitation to the United States by Ike, although a friendly gesture, has sabotaged Zhukov's status in the USSR by making him seem dangerous to Stalin. Eisenhower tells his friend that the US people don't want war, but the government is terrified of aggressive Soviet actions, and Zhukov corrects him in the now famous line: "Do not mistake Soviet actions for Stalin actions! You want war with Stalin, not with the Soviet Union!"
The USSR, at this point, had been left out of the billions of dollars in general aid that had been given to France and Great Britain; Eisenhower again explained why this was. There had been talks, however, of another aid package, this one more detailed and planned, that would soon be given to western Europe. Eisenhower is sure that none of this much-needed capital will reach the USSR, but he and Zhukov hatch a plan during the last night of the reunion, over two bottles (one vodka, one whiskey): if Zhukov is somehow able to remove Stalin from power, then Eisenhower will make some of their talks (particularly the Soviet desire for peace and friendship, according to Zhukov) public, and will place his reputation (akin to Zhukov's and beloved by the American people) behind the push to extend aid to the USSR.
Zhukov wastes no time, realizing that, particularly with this "reunion," his days are numbered in the eyes of Stalin. He contacts Khruschev, who had been one of the strongest men in the USSR prior to his falling in the eyes of Stalin (and subsequent removal from all positions of power) and Anastas Mikoyan, commissar of trade. Khruschev realizes that his life could very well be forfeit, having been removed from the positions which made him so powerful, and Mikoyan understands that aid from and peace with the West, rather than war, is the only way the USSR can survive. Within a matter of weeks, the three of them gather a power base, the most important of which is the Red Army, which is staunchly behind Zhukov.
When the orders come informing Zhukov that he has been removed from his position as commander of all Soviet ground forces and assigned to a military base in Odessa, the Triumvirate act; within 6 hours, T-34 tanks roll through the streets of Moscow and encircle the Kremlin. An unknown assassin, believed to be a Red Army operative, kills Stalin by stabbing him in the base of the neck with an ice pick as Stalin looks out the window in shock at the tanks. The death, so similar to that of Leon Trotsky, sends a clear message throughout the Soviet elite: Stalin died a traitor. The public, however, is told that Stalin had suffered a heart attack, and that the Red Army troops were sent out to ensure peace and stability. Knowing to destroy the eggs along with the viper, Mikoyan suggests that the NKVD, with its Georgian leader Lavrenti Beria, also be eliminated; although the NKVD office is able to hold out for a few hours, it is eventually destroyed and Beria, accused of plotting to overthrow the USSR upon hearing of Stalin's death, is executed.
The Triumvirate now begin to glare at eachother, but come to an agreement: rather than one ruling the Soviet Union, the office of General Secretary is abolished and turned into dozens of minor jobs, and a ruling council of three will guide the USSR.
As news of Stalin's death reverberates throughout the world, Eisenhower speaks to his friend George C. Marshall, the former general and Secretary of State, who is already planning the aid package that would be known as the Marshall Plan. Eisenhower tells him of the meeting with Zhukov and the sincere Soviet desire for peace with the west, and hints that, if the Soviets aren't helped, the US will be blamed for aggression. It is further hinted that Eisenhower will make public his meeting with Zhukov, and, as such, the "warmongering" of the leadership would ensure that the Democrats would be hounded out of office. Eisenhower goes so far as to state that he himself would run for office to ensure that World War III does not come about.
Thus, in mid 1948, the Marshall Plan is enacted, with some $13 billion going to western Europe, and an additional $4.8 billion dollars invested in the Soviet Union, with another $3 billion spread out over the various eastern European states held by the USSR. The conditions, agreed to by the Council of Three, are that mild capitalism, akin to the NEP, is allowed to exist, and that a timetable is given to the Soviet occupation of eastern Europe; the final date is set to be May 8th, 1960, the fifteenth anniversery of the victory over the Nazis. The Council, however, makes the West agree to recognize the states, even if they elect Communist governments, and the West, somewhat reluctantly, agrees. Thus, the Mikoyan Plan is enacted with the USSR, which diverts a great deal of the Marshall Plan aid directly to the eastern European nations, ensuring that their standard of living under Communism is high enough that it, plus the Soviet control of press and other factors, will ensure that the regions remain under Soviet rule. The one exception to this is east Germany, which the Soviets refuse to simply relinquish so quickly, and which is given a time table of 1975.
What do you guys think? Plausible?