After the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 the new Soviet leadership under Nikita Khrushchev began a process of liberalization and de-Stalinization. This created a power struggle within the party between the Hardliners who opposed the reforms and Khrushchev's supporters. Internationally the divide between the now-liberal minded Soviets and the hardline leadership of China became apparent in the early 60s with the Sino-Soviet split.