7) The Great Terror Flashcards
How did Stalin deal with the ‘old Bolsheviks’ when in power?
He organised show trials (trials that took place so the public could watch - these trials were regularly fixed so Stalin’s opponents would lose)
Who were the first ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?
Kamenev and Zinoviev (they were executed for allegedly plotting to assassinate Stalin)
Who were the last ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?
Bukharin and Rykov (they were shot for allegedly trying to overthrow Stalin)
How many members of the armed forces did Stalin have killed?
Approximately 30,000, 50% being officers (including leading general Tukhachevsky)
Why did Stalin have so many members of the armed forces killed?
He suspected they were spying for the Germans and Japanese.
What did Stalin allegedly ‘suffer’ from?
A persecution complex - he feared everyone was plotting against him
Who’s death encouraged Stalin to become more active in his purges against Communist Party members?
Kirov
How did Stalin’s desire to industrialise have an impact on his use of terror?
He believed Russia had to industrialise so international rivals (such as Hitler’s Germany) would not win if a war were to break out.
If workers did not regularly complete enough work what were they accused of?
Deliberate sabotage
What happened to the 55 engineers from the Shakhty mines?
They were found guilty of sabotage (5 were shot, 49 were imprisoned)
When did the purges begin?
1932
When did purges become more violent
1934
What were saboteurs also known as?
Wreckers
What were opponents to collectivisation labelled?
Kulaks
What was the secret police known as in this time?
The NKVD