Opposition- Stalin Flashcards
What were the purges?
Waves of terror unleashed by Stalin and the NKVD against enemies of the state in the 1930s.
What happened to Sergei Kirov?
Was a popular Leningrad party boss who was unhappy with the implementation of collectivization. Was murdered by a party member in 1934, but Stalin was suspected to have had something to do with it. It allowed him to introduce an emergency decree against terrorist organizations and acts.
Who was blamed for Kirov’s death?
Kamenev and zinoviev, they were forced to sign confessions that they had been aiding Trotsky in trying to overthrow the USSR. Their show trial took place in 1936, they admitted to their ‘crimes’ and were shot.
Who else was put on trial?
Members of the ‘right opposition’ Bukharin, rykov and tomsky. Tomsky committed suicide and in 1938 Bukharin and rykov were put on show trial and shot.
What happened to Trotsky?
By 1938, Stalin had liquidated every influential Bolshevik from the revolution, in 1940 an agent assassinated Trotsky in Mexico.
What happened to the red army?
Purged in 1937, accused of planning a military coup, 5 Marshalls, 75 members of the supreme military council and 35,000 officers were shot.
Why was the red army purged?
It allowed Stalin to have complete military control and assured him he had the army’s complete loyalty.
What happened to the NKVD leaders?
- Yagoda was removed as leader in 1936 and shot in 1938. 2. Yezhov, who was responsible for the bloodiest years of the purges, was removed and then disappeared in 1939.
What were gulags?
System of forced labor camps prisoners were forced to work under harsh conditions, they had no safety equipment and low rations.
What were gulags used for?
Place to send opponents and members of the public Stalin decided were enemies of the people. They were also a good source of labor for the construction of projects such as the Volga canal.
