opposition; the red terror and the purges Flashcards
What was the supposed reason that Lenin started the Red Terror?
-Assassination attempt in august 1918? -used this reason as an excuse.
What was the real Reason why Lenin started the Red terror?
-People weren’t willingly moving towards socialism => Had to use force.
E.g peasants didn’t want to give up grain to state=> destroyed grain instead.
How many were killed in the red terror?
500,000
What were the main reasons of Stalin’s paranoia?
- Opposition within the party –> Threat to his leadership
- Wifes suicide
What did Stalin’s Terror campaigns emphasise?
-Arrests, torture and imprisonment
How many deaths was the Stalinist Regime responsible for?
Around 10 Million
What was the role of the NKVD?
NKVD enforced both internal (inside party) and external purges
What is significant about Sergei Kirov?
-Kirov presented a major threat to Stalin
=> Defended Ryutin who had published a critical document of Stalin and his policies
What Stalinist policies had Sergei Kirov Challenged?
-Argued for more realistic targets in second FYP
How did Stalin’s position seem to be in genuine threat by 1934?
- Stalin came second to Kirov in a vote at the 17th Communist Party Congress to elect a new central committee
- Kirov got 200 more votes than Stalin
What happened to Kirov after the 17th communist party congress?
Kirov was shot
What were the Show Trials?
-A series of trials held nominally directed against “Trotskyists” and members of “Right Opposition” of the Communist Party.
–> ie Trial of 17 -execution of 17 Trotsky supporters
What was Stalin’s Great Terror?
-“Final destruction of all enemies”
Who were Stalin’s enemies?
1) All former communist Party rivals for the 20’s
2) Every communist who was known to work with Lenin( Could be loyal to Lenin instead of Stalin)
3) Any Party members that was independent of Stalin
How did Stalin implement the Great Terror?
- Eliminate any internal or external opposition.
- -> Allowed Stalin to appoint members loyal to him
