Stalin's Great Purge

Definition

Stalin's Great Purge was a campaign of political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938, during which Joseph Stalin sought to eliminate dissent and consolidate his power. This period was marked by widespread arrests, forced confessions, and executions, primarily targeting perceived political enemies, including party members, military leaders, and ordinary citizens. The Great Purge highlighted the extremes of totalitarian rule and served as a method for Stalin to instill fear and maintain control over the Soviet populace.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Great Purge, an estimated 600,000 to 1.2 million people were executed, with many more sent to labor camps known as Gulags.
2. The campaign targeted not only political opponents but also ordinary citizens who were accused of being 'enemies of the state,' creating an atmosphere of fear and paranoia throughout the country.
3. Key figures in the Communist Party, including Leon Trotsky's supporters, were either executed or exiled during this period as Stalin sought to eliminate any potential threats to his leadership.
4. The Great Purge had a devastating impact on the Red Army, resulting in the execution or imprisonment of numerous military leaders, which weakened Soviet military capabilities prior to World War II.
5. Stalin's use of propaganda during the Great Purge portrayed him as a heroic leader protecting the Soviet Union from internal treachery and external threats.

Review Questions

• How did Stalin's Great Purge reflect the principles of totalitarianism in the Soviet Union?
  • Stalin's Great Purge exemplified totalitarianism by showcasing how the state sought to control not just political institutions but also individual lives. The widespread arrests and executions eliminated dissenting voices, reinforcing Stalin's absolute power. Through propaganda and state-controlled narratives, the regime instilled fear among citizens, ensuring compliance and loyalty to Stalin while suppressing any potential opposition.
• Discuss the role of the NKVD during the Great Purge and how it contributed to the atmosphere of fear in Soviet society.
  • The NKVD played a crucial role in executing Stalin's directives during the Great Purge. As the secret police, they conducted mass arrests, interrogated suspects using brutal methods, and carried out executions. Their actions fostered a climate of fear in Soviet society, where anyone could be accused of anti-Soviet activities. This atmosphere of terror not only silenced opposition but also compelled citizens to report on each other, further entrenching distrust within communities.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Stalin's Great Purge on Soviet political structures and military preparedness leading into World War II.
  • Stalin's Great Purge had profound long-term effects on both Soviet political structures and military preparedness. By eliminating a significant portion of the Communist Party leadership and military commanders, Stalin weakened vital institutions essential for governance and defense. The loss of experienced military leaders contributed to initial setbacks faced by the Red Army in World War II. Additionally, this purge instilled a culture of fear that persisted within the government, stifling innovation and critical thinking in favor of loyalty to Stalin's regime.

Related terms

Show Trials: Public trials held in the Soviet Union during the Great Purge, designed to showcase the supposed guilt of the accused and to legitimize Stalin's crackdown on dissent.

NKVD: The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, the Soviet secret police responsible for carrying out the Great Purge and enforcing state security through arrests and executions.

Totalitarianism: A political system where the state seeks to control every aspect of public and private life, often characterized by a single-party rule, propaganda, and repression of dissent.