The Great Terror Flashcards
When was the first Chistka? What prompted it? How many party members were expelled?
- After the Civil War in which many had joined the party since it brought some perks. This led the party to question the true loyalty of those who had joined. ¼ of party members were expelled.
When was the second Chistka? What prompted it? How many party members were expelled?
- Prompted by the end of the NEP and introduction of the Five Year Plans. Measures were being taken against the profiteers of the NEP and this was imitated in the party (some opposed the ending of the policy). 11% of members were cleansed.
When was the third Chistka? How many party members had been expelled by 1935?
1932-35. 20% more party members expelled under this chistka.
What did the third Chistka reveal about local records? What did this lead to?
That local records were in a dire state and poorly organised. This led to a decision in 1936 for all party members to replace their cards for new ones. Simultaneously, party officials were examined which led to the expulsion of 9% more.
What was the difference between the organisation of the second and third chistki?
1928 chistka was organised by the local party branches whereas the one in the 1930s was organised from Moscow under Kaganovich.
Why was the communist party unpopular by the early 1930s?
Due to industrialisation and collectivisation; both led to widespread use of force and a lowering of living standards. In 1932-34 there was likewise the famine. Crackdown on opposition was also high in the form of show trials and continued terror; especially against political opponents and ‘bourgeois’ specialists.
Name the key examples of internal criticism within the party at the start of the 1930s.
- Riutin Platform in March 1932 – criticised forced collectivisation and demanded more tolerance. It directly attacked the leadership of Stalin.
- Smirnov’s arrest in January 1933 – accused of forming an anti-party group in order to remove Stalin. Accusations turned out to be largely true.
- Trotsky’s magazine “The Bulletin of the Opposition” – circulated amongst the central committee and was very critical of Stalin. In 1932, it even carried a top secret report on the economy. Trotsky was helped by Bukharin to do this (illustrates the left and right wings of the party working together to try and combat Stalin)
Who was Sergei Kirov?
Kirov was a member of the central committee as of 1923 and he became Party Secretary in Leningrad in 1926 after Zinoviev was ousted there.
What did Kirov disagree with Stalin about?
He disagreed about the death penalty for Riutin after the Riutin Platform (1932). The politburo in fact received a majority to overturn Stalin’s decision. He also wanted a slower pace of industrialisation and less terror and force to be used with the peasantry.
What happened at the 17th Party Congress (1934) in relation to Kirov?
17th Party Congress – Kirov was requested by some delegates to replace Stalin as General Secretary. When he refused, the congress removed the post and created 4 equal ranked party secretaries: Stalin and Kirov became two of these. In fact, Kirov received more votes to be re-appointed to the central committee by the congress than Stalin did (166/1200 delegates did not vote for Stalin)
When and where was Kirov shot? Who committed the act?
Kirov was shot in December 1934 at the Smolny Institute by Leonid Nikolayev.
What was Stalin’s reaction to the Kirov affair?
The passing of an emergency decree against terrorist organisations and terrorist attacks:
o Investigation of cases could only last 10 days
o Cases are to be heard without a defence
o Appeals are not permitted
o Executions are to be carried out after case is passed
Thousands are arrested in the Leningrad party (3000 in the first few days)
NKVD accused of negligence of Kirov are sent to labour camps
Vyshinsky appointed as state prosecutor
Beria appointed in charge of state security in the national minorities
Zinoviev and Kamenev are arrested in January 1935, charged with organising the ‘Moscow Centre’ and death of Kirov
What was the Stalin constitution? What was its purpose>
Stalin constitution enshrined a democratic constitution into the Soviet Union. This was designed as a propaganda piece for the international community to show that the Soviet Union was ‘democratic’
When was the first show trial? Who were convicted?
August 1936 – Zinoviev, Kamenev and 14 others
When was the second show trial? Who were convicted?
January 1937 – Pyatakov (deputy in the commissariat of Heavy Industry) and Radek (Trotskyite)
