7) The Great Terror Flashcards

1
Q

How did Stalin deal with the ‘old Bolsheviks’ when in power?

A

He organised show trials (trials that took place so the public could watch - these trials were regularly fixed so Stalin’s opponents would lose)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who were the first ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?

A

Kamenev and Zinoviev (they were executed for allegedly plotting to assassinate Stalin)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Who were the last ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?

A

Bukharin and Rykov (they were shot for allegedly trying to overthrow Stalin)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How many members of the armed forces did Stalin have killed?

A

Approximately 30,000, 50% being officers (including leading general Tukhachevsky)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why did Stalin have so many members of the armed forces killed?

A

He suspected they were spying for the Germans and Japanese.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What did Stalin allegedly ‘suffer’ from?

A

A persecution complex - he feared everyone was plotting against him

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Who’s death encouraged Stalin to become more active in his purges against Communist Party members?

A

Kirov

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How did Stalin’s desire to industrialise have an impact on his use of terror?

A

He believed Russia had to industrialise so international rivals (such as Hitler’s Germany) would not win if a war were to break out.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

If workers did not regularly complete enough work what were they accused of?

A

Deliberate sabotage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happened to the 55 engineers from the Shakhty mines?

A

They were found guilty of sabotage (5 were shot, 49 were imprisoned)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When did the purges begin?

A

1932

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When did purges become more violent

A

1934

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What were saboteurs also known as?

A

Wreckers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What were opponents to collectivisation labelled?

A

Kulaks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the secret police known as in this time?

A

The NKVD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What was the Decree against terrorist attacks?

A

The NKVD could arrest people without charge or trial and execute them on the spot.

17
Q

What were the NKVD who were sent out at night known as?

A

the ‘Black Ravens’

18
Q

Who was encouraged to inform on others?

A

Children

19
Q

How many people were arrested between 1937-38?

A

Approximately 1 million (around half were shot)

20
Q

Who was in charge of the NKVD between 1937-38?

A

Yezhov

21
Q

What happened to Yezhov?

A

he was purged when Stalin thought the purges were getting out of hand.

22
Q

Where were those who were purged (but were not shot) sent?

A

Gulags (labour camps)

23
Q

What work were people expected to do in Gulags?

A

Hard labour (construction and mining projects)

24
Q

Overall how many died from cold, hunger and ill treatment in Gulags?

A

Approximately 13 million

25
Q

By 1938 how many people were in labour camps?

A

Approximately 7 million

26
Q

Why did many victims confess to the crimes they did not commit?

A

Their families and friends were threatened

27
Q

Why did the NKVD look for a confession of guilt?

A

It justified their actions/showed the state was right to act in this way.

28
Q

What had happened to Stalin’s ‘opposition’ by 1938?

A

There was no credible opponent to challenge him

29
Q

What was Stalin’s use of terror known as?

A

The Great Terror