The Great Terror 1932-1938 Flashcards
who were expelled from the party in 1927?
Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev
when was the trial of sixteen and who did it involve?
1936, Kamenev and Zinoviev
when was the trial of seventeen and who did it involve?
1937, Trotsky’s former allies, Pyatakov, Radek and, Sokolnikov
when was the trial of twenty-one and who did it involve?
1938, Bukharin, Rykov, Yagoda and, Tomsky
when was the military purge and who was purged?
1937, 11 war commissars and 50% of officer corps
what was the purpose of the purges in theory?
cleanse the party of careerists and those who were not committed to the ideals of communism
why was desire for rapid industrialisation a cause of the purge?
the central party was having trouble getting local party secretaries to implement policies
how was rapid industrialisation as a cause for the purge demonstrated?
by 1933, 22% of party members had lost their party cards
how was the Ryutin platform a cause of the purge?
showed growing opposition to Stalin’s leadership at high levels. Ryutin released 200 page document critical of Stalin to the central committee
how was the Ryutin platform as a cause of the purge demonstrated?
Stalin wanted Ryutin executed in 1932 but was opposed by members of the party, showing his power was not secure.
what was stalin unable to do in 1932 which showed his power was not secure?
he was unable to have Ryutin executed
what happened at the congress of victors?
congress voted to select the central committee, Kirov recieved more votes that Stalin, so they were both given title secretary of equal rank. Stalin was not secure in his power
what did terror economics allow stalin to do?
blame economic problems on political enemies (wreckers)
how did terror allow for reservoir of cheap labour?
majority of purged sent to gulags
what were the Shakhy trials?
trials of industrial specialists from middle class/ foreign backgrounds. they were accused of sabotage, spying or anti-socialism
how did stalin attempt to exclude Kirov from the politburo?
insisting he stay in Leningrad. in 1934 he was murdered
who was accused of murdering Kirov?
Nikolayev, who was said to be working with Trotskiete terror group
what was Stalin paranoid off?
- those in his party
- old communists (Lenin supporters and pre war members)
- feared ref army and secret police
how many were arrested in the great terror?
7 to 8 million
how many were executed in the great terror?
around 1.5 million