14. The Political Terror

Question 1

In the 1930’s millions of people who were suspected of being critical of _____ or his policies were ______, or sent to labour camps or simply disappeared. This was called the ________ _____ or the _______ which were carried out by Stalin’s secret police.

Answer 1

Stalin
Executed
Great Terror
Purges

Question 2

What were the main features of the purges?(4)

Answer 2

• Show trials
• The purges of the communist party
• The purges of the army
• The labour camps

Question 3

What were the show trials?

Answer 3

Public trials were held in which old Bolsheviks were forced to confess variety publicly to a variety of crimes.

Question 4

How could be sent to trial?(3)

Answer 4

Disrupting Five year plans
Plotting to kill Stalin
Working to restore capitalism

Question 5

What were the purges of the communist party?

Answer 5

Over 1 million members of the party were expelled and seventy percent of the party’s central committee were imprisoned or killed.

Question 6

When and where was Trotsky murdered?

Answer 6

Mexico,1940

Question 7

What were the purges of the army?

Answer 7

One third of the officers in the army were imprisoned or educated.

Question 8

What were the labour camps (gulags), where Political prisoners

Answer 8

A vast network of labour camps was established where political prisoners were forced to work on public works programmers or in the mines.

Question 9

Who were amongst the victims in the gulags?(4)

Answer 9

Writers and academic
Scientists
Engineers
Technologist

Question 10

What do historians think is the main reasons behind the purges?(2)

Answer 10

Stalin wanted to silence critics, enemies and potential rivals. Others suggest the he wanted to reduce the size of the communist party so he could dominate easier.

Question 11

What notion do most agree about Stalin and the purges?

Answer 11

Stalin was distrustful, anxious and power-hungry.