7) The Great Terror

Question 1

How did Stalin deal with the ‘old Bolsheviks’ when in power?

Answer 1

He organised show trials (trials that took place so the public could watch - these trials were regularly fixed so Stalin’s opponents would lose)

Question 2

Who were the first ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?

Answer 2

Kamenev and Zinoviev (they were executed for allegedly plotting to assassinate Stalin)

Question 3

Who were the last ‘Old Bolsheviks’ to go through a show trial?

Answer 3

Bukharin and Rykov (they were shot for allegedly trying to overthrow Stalin)

Question 4

How many members of the armed forces did Stalin have killed?

Answer 4

Approximately 30,000, 50% being officers (including leading general Tukhachevsky)

Question 5

Why did Stalin have so many members of the armed forces killed?

Answer 5

He suspected they were spying for the Germans and Japanese.

Question 6

What did Stalin allegedly ‘suffer’ from?

Answer 6

A persecution complex - he feared everyone was plotting against him

Question 7

Who’s death encouraged Stalin to become more active in his purges against Communist Party members?

Answer 7

Kirov

Question 8

How did Stalin’s desire to industrialise have an impact on his use of terror?

Answer 8

He believed Russia had to industrialise so international rivals (such as Hitler’s Germany) would not win if a war were to break out.

Question 9

If workers did not regularly complete enough work what were they accused of?

Answer 9

Deliberate sabotage

Question 10

What happened to the 55 engineers from the Shakhty mines?

Answer 10

They were found guilty of sabotage (5 were shot, 49 were imprisoned)

Question 11

When did the purges begin?

Answer 11

1932

Question 12

When did purges become more violent

Answer 12

1934

Question 13

What were saboteurs also known as?

Answer 13

Wreckers

Question 14

What were opponents to collectivisation labelled?

Answer 14

Kulaks

Question 15

What was the secret police known as in this time?

Answer 15

The NKVD

Question 16

What was the Decree against terrorist attacks?

Answer 16

The NKVD could arrest people without charge or trial and execute them on the spot.

Question 17

What were the NKVD who were sent out at night known as?

Answer 17

the ‘Black Ravens’

Question 18

Who was encouraged to inform on others?

Answer 18

Children

Question 19

How many people were arrested between 1937-38?

Answer 19

Approximately 1 million (around half were shot)

Question 20

Who was in charge of the NKVD between 1937-38?

Answer 20

Yezhov

Question 21

What happened to Yezhov?

Answer 21

he was purged when Stalin thought the purges were getting out of hand.

Question 22

Where were those who were purged (but were not shot) sent?

Answer 22

Gulags (labour camps)

Question 23

What work were people expected to do in Gulags?

Answer 23

Hard labour (construction and mining projects)

Question 24

Overall how many died from cold, hunger and ill treatment in Gulags?

Answer 24

Approximately 13 million

Question 25

By 1938 how many people were in labour camps?

Answer 25

Approximately 7 million

Question 26

Why did many victims confess to the crimes they did not commit?

Answer 26

Their families and friends were threatened

Question 27

Why did the NKVD look for a confession of guilt?

Answer 27

It justified their actions/showed the state was right to act in this way.

Question 28

What had happened to Stalin’s ‘opposition’ by 1938?

Answer 28

There was no credible opponent to challenge him

Question 29

What was Stalin’s use of terror known as?

Answer 29

The Great Terror