The Great Terror, also known as the Great Purge, refers to a period of mass political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. It was carried out by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and his government against real or perceived political opponents, including not only former members of the Russian aristocracy, bourgeoisie, and landowners, but also members of the Communist Party itself.
The Great Terror involved widespread arrests, show trials, forced confessions, and executions, targeting various groups such as Old Bolsheviks, military officials, intellectuals, and artists. The secret police, known as the NKVD, played a crucial role in implementing Stalin's policies and purging the Soviet society of perceived threats. Many innocent individuals were falsely accused of counter-revolutionary activities, espionage, or conspiring against the Soviet state and were subjected to torture and imprisonment.
Estimates vary, but it is believed that the number of victims of the Great Terror ranges from hundreds of thousands to several million people, including political figures, military officers, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens. The purpose of the Great Terror was to consolidate Stalin's power, eliminate potential rivals, and quash any opposition to his regime. It created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, where people were afraid to express their opinions or associate with anyone who might be considered an enemy of the state.
What is the great terror during the Russian revolution
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