Terror Complete Flashcards
Lenin’s legacy of terror?
Established Cheka in December 1917
‘Sharp sword of revolution’
1922- Establishment of OGPU- supervised network of labour camps
How did Stalin initially extend terror? - not physical
He expelled Trotsky from the party in 1929 and Bukharin was removed from the politburo
1930– expelled some of his former supporters after criticising the excesses of collectivisation
Define State Terror?
A means to control the population and remove opposition through control and fear
What was the Shakhty trial?
In 1928 managers and workers of the Shakhty coal mine questioned the pace of industrialisation and were then accused of counter revolutionary activity. They were given a public show trial in which they were forced to confess- 5 executed and others received long prison sentences
Who was Ryutin?
Former Moscow Party secretary and a ‘rightist’ who called for the removal of Stalin from the party. He wrote a 200 page document entitled Stalin and the crisis of the Proletariat dictatorship.
Outcome for Ryutin?
Stalin wanted him executed but was over-ruled by Kirov and Ryutin was imprisoned for 10 years
Who else suffered in the Ryutin plot?
Zinoviev and Kamenev as they failed to report on this document
By 1934 1/5 of party had been branded Ryutinites and were expelled
When was NKVD established?
1934
Who were the leaders of the NKVD?
Yagoda, Yezhov and Beria
Background of Yagoda?
Joined Cheka at end of Civil War
Responsible for preparing the first major show trial in 1936
When did Kirov oppose Stalin?
17th Party Congress- he spoke out against maintaining such a fast pace of industrialisation- he supported the abolishment of forcible grain seizures and an increase in workers rations
He received a standing ovation
Impact of 17th party congress?
There was no longer the title of General Secretary instead Stalin and Kirov along with two others were given the title ‘ Secretary of Equal Rank’
Opportunity to share blame for eco crisis but a reduction of Stalin’s power
When was Kirov murdered?
December 1934
Who did Stalin blame for the murder?
Trotsky- said it was his attempt to overthrow the party
What was published straight after Kirov’s death?
A decree allowing Yagoda- Head of NKVD- power to arrest and execute anyone found guilty of terrorist plotting
100 party members were shot and thousands more arrested and sent to prison camps