What is the great terror during the Russian revolution
The Great Terror, also known as the Great Purge, refers to a period of mass political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. It was carried out by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and his government against real or perceived political opponents, including not only former members of the Russian aristocracy, bourgeoisie, and landowners, but also members of the Communist Party itself.
The Great Terror involved widespread arrests, show trials, forced confessions, and executions, targeting various groups such as Old Bolsheviks, military officials, intellectuals, and artists. The secret police, known as the NKVD, played a crucial role in implementing Stalin's policies and purging the Soviet society of perceived threats. Many innocent individuals were falsely accused of counter-revolutionary activities, espionage, or conspiring against the Soviet state and were subjected to torture and imprisonment.
Estimates vary, but it is believed that the number of victims of the Great Terror ranges from hundreds of thousands to several million people, including political figures, military officers, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens. The purpose of the Great Terror was to consolidate Stalin's power, eliminate potential rivals, and quash any opposition to his regime. It created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, where people were afraid to express their opinions or associate with anyone who might be considered an enemy of the state.
The Great Terror, also known as the Great Purge, was a period of political repression and mass persecution in the Soviet Union, which occurred from 1936 to 1938. It was carried out by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and his government in an effort to eliminate perceived threats to his rule and consolidate his power.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the Great Terror during the Russian revolution:
1. Background: The Great Terror took place during the period of Stalin's leadership, following the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Stalin rose to power after the death of Vladimir Lenin and initiated a series of policies aimed at transforming the country into an industrialized socialist state.
2. Targets: The main targets of the Great Terror were perceived political enemies, including members of the Communist Party, the military, intelligentsia, and ordinary citizens. The accused individuals were often labeled as "enemies of the people" and were accused of various crimes, such as conspiracy, espionage, and treason.
3. Purges and Show Trials: The Great Terror involved mass purges and arrests, with individuals being rounded up by the NKVD (the Soviet secret police). The accused were then subjected to show trials, which were highly publicized events where confessions were often obtained through torture or coercion.
4. Gulag and Execution: Those convicted during the show trials were either sent to forced labor camps in the Gulag system or executed. The Gulag system was a massive network of camps where prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions and often forced to work in labor-intensive industries.
5. Scale and Impact: The scale of the Great Terror was immense, with estimates suggesting that millions of people were affected by arrests, executions, and labor camp sentences. The pervasive climate of fear created by the Great Terror had a chilling effect on society, stifling dissent and encouraging conformity.
6. Motives: There were several motivations behind the Great Terror. Stalin aimed to eliminate any potential rivals or threats to his rule within the Communist Party and the military. Additionally, he sought to assert control over various branches of government and society, ensuring unquestioning compliance with his policies.
7. Aftermath: The Great Terror began to subside in 1939 when Stalin shifted his focus towards aligning with Western democracies to counter the rising threat of Nazi Germany. Many of those who survived the purges faced social ostracism and were forced to live the rest of their lives under the constant fear of potential surveillance and retribution.
Overall, the Great Terror was a period of intense political oppression and fear in the Soviet Union, characterized by mass arrests, show trials, forced labor, and executions, all aimed at consolidating Stalin's power and eliminating perceived threats to his rule.