1953 to the 1980s

Following the death of Stalin in 1953, the situation for Volga Germans improved dramatically, and in 1964 a second decree was issued. It openly admitted the government's guilt in pressing charges against innocent people, and urged the Soviet citizens to give the Volga Germans every assistance possible in support of their "economic and cultural expansion". In 1965, the Decree of Banishment was officially made null and void, though the Volga German A.S.S.R. was never reestablished. The land area is now part of Saratov Oblast.