Moscow Show Trials (1936-38)

Question 1

What were the Moscow show trials?

Answer 1

Series of public trials used by Stalin to eliminate political opponents
—> Also used as propaganda
—> Shahkty trials (53engineers)

Question 2

What was the trial of the sixteen (1936)

Answer 2

Leftist leaders (Z&K) accused of working as Trotskyite agents
—> Confessed under pressure from
NKVD

Question 3

What was the trial of the seventeen?(1937)

Answer 3

Party officials like Radek and Pyatakov

Accused of working for Trotsky to undermine economy
—> real crime was criticising 5YP

Question 4

What was the trial of the twenty one (1938)

Answer 4

Purge of the right

Bhukarin and Rykov accused of forming a Trotskyite-Rightist bloc
—> No evidence of this