The Causes of the Great Terror

Question 1

What are the 4 factors? (PECK)

Answer 1

Stalin’s Paranoia
Terror Economics
Congress of Victors
Kirov’s Murder

Question 2

What are the 4 factors?

Answer 2

Stalin’s Paranoia
Terror Economics
Congress of Victors
Kirov’s Murder

Question 3

Explain the Stalin’s Paranoia factor

Answer 3

> Couldn’t trust his party
Thought his secret police had too much control
Feared the exposure of Lenin’s opinions of him

Question 4

Explain Congress of Victors as a factor

Answer 4

Intention vs outcome - worried Stalin
>Kirov topped poll for CC and was approached about becoming GS by old Bolsheviks
>Stalin felt threatened

Question 5

Explain Kirov’s murder as a factor

Answer 5

> Stalin attempted to exclude Kirov from Politburo
Leonid Nikolayev
Convenience of Trotsky and Zinoviev’s arrested

Question 6

Explain Terror Economics as a factor

Answer 6

> Allowed Stalin to blame economic failings on political rivals
Prison camps = huge reservoir of cheap labour