AHC: Have Zhdanov control the USSR without prematurely killing Stalin

[Kibbutznik]

As I understand, Stalin's health suffered greatly even before his death, and by the end of the Second World War much more liberal individuals, such as Zhukov and Zhdanov, possessed enough influence and direction to take power if Stalin fell.

Is there any way for Zhdanov to take unofficial control of the Soviet Union without removing Stalin as the official dictator?

 

[Gog (♀)]

Stalin goes paralyzed and nearly brain dead after a devastating stroke

 

[Histor32]

when? during the war, maybe with the germans in sight of Moscow you could get a coupe, maybe..
after the war, with out stalin outright dying or acting totally bat shit nuts... nyet tovarsich..

 

[Napoleon IV]

Stalin goes paralyzed and nearly brain dead after a devastating stroke

Basically this. Everyone was so terrified of Stalin that the only way they'd take any command without his death is if he's in a coma with no chance of waking up. Even then the government might shut down for a week or two, just in case Stalin wakes up.

Also, it should be noted that Zhdanov won't last long. He was a serious alcoholic, something the stress of being in power would only make worse, and he died in 1948 (after spending two months in a sanitorium). Once Zhdanov is dead Molotov or Malenkov is most likely to take over. Malenkov would be a liberalish leader (particularly on economic issues), but Molotov was a hardline Stalinist.

 

[All Rounder]

Basically this. Everyone was so terrified of Stalin that the only way they'd take any command without his death is if he's in a coma with no chance of waking up. Even then the government might shut down for a week or two, just in case Stalin wakes up.

Also, it should be noted that Zhdanov won't last long. He was a serious alcoholic, something the stress of being in power would only make worse, and he died in 1948 (after spending two months in a sanitorium). Once Zhdanov is dead Molotov or Malenkov is most likely to take over. Malenkov would be a liberalish leader (particularly on economic issues), but Molotov was a hardline Stalinist.

So...it would be pick you poison?

 

[David T]

As I understand, Stalin's health suffered greatly even before his death, and by the end of the Second World War much more liberal individuals, such as Zhukov and Zhdanov, possessed enough influence and direction to take power if Stalin fell.

Zhdanov "liberal"?! Maybe in an alternate universe...

http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405189224_chunk_g978140518922426_ss1-4
http://orlandofiges.info/section15_OriginsoftheColdWar/TheZhdanovshchina.php
https://www.britannica.com/event/Zhdanovshchina