The Purges Flashcards
What was the great purge? What started the Great Purge?
It was when Stalin got rid of everyone who opposed Stalin. Kirov’s murder started the Great Purge.
How many people were killed in the great purge?
24 million Kulaks were killed, 35,000 red army soldiers were killed.
What were the three show trials?
The trial of 16 - in 1936 there was the public execution of Kamenev and Zinoviev and some supporters.
The trial of 17 - in 1937 there was the public execution of 17 of Trotsky’s former supporters.
The trial of 21 - in 1938 there as the public execution of Bukharin and his supporters.
What were the secret trials?
Trials held in private to test people’s loyalty to Stalin.
All of the Red Army leaders were trialed.
8 senior generals were tried for attempting to overthrow the government - all were executed.
Who were the victims of the purge?
Any opposition of Stalin, particularly political opponents.
What were the economic reasons behind the great purge?
- Stalin needed everyone together
- There were industrial and agricultural problems - the terror created an army of slave labours which he could put to use.
What were the consequences of the great purge?
- It eliminated all of Stalin’s rivals from the 1920s.
- It removed all party members who could claim authority that was independent from Stalin.
- A new generation of party members emerged.
