Purges

Question 1

How many died during the Purges/Terror?

Answer 1

20m deported to labour camps.
Deaths:
Disputed, 1-3 million

Question 2

What groups were killed during the Terror?

Answer 2

Anyone could have been considered an enemy of the state, but primarily:
* Teachers, Engineers, Scientists
* Military Leaders (90% of generals) (25,000 officers)
* NKVD members

Question 3

How were lives affected?

Answer 3

• People were turned against each other, e.g one boy, 14, turned his father to the NKVD. His family stabbed him to death.
• The death count was a source of national trauma.

Question 4

What happened to members of the communist party?

Answer 4

500,000 purged for being ‘traitors’