Stalin's great terror

Question 1

intro to stalin’s gear terror

Answer 1

-began in November 1937, initiated by Stalin
-purpose was to bring about ‘final destruction of all enemies
-definition of enemies:
all former communist party rival from 1920s
every communist known to have worked with lenin
any party member who could
claim authority independent of stalin

-established principle that Stalin had the right to use terror whenever
-empowered NKVD

Question 2

implementation of the great terror

Answer 2

-stalin used to eliminate any opposition to him
-able to appoint new communist members loyal to stalin
-entrenched auhtoirty throughout ussr
-NKVD purged in 1937 as they were not ruthless enough
-led to 20k deaths
-same year, over 35k military officers, Marshalls and commanders executed in military purge as majoirty of personnel appointed by Trotsky

Question 3

treatment of minorities in great terror

Answer 3

minorities:
-koreans sen to asia to increase tensions with Japan
-chinese and afghans targeted following similar hostilities with east

Question 4

role of the gulags

Answer 4

-priosn camps built by Cheka in 1918
-shole network of gulags
-1941, 8 to 9 m in gulags- 150k died
-subject to harsh prison conditions and forced labour