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