The Purges

Question 1

What was the great purge? What started the Great Purge?

Answer 1

It was when Stalin got rid of everyone who opposed Stalin. Kirov’s murder started the Great Purge.

Question 2

How many people were killed in the great purge?

Answer 2

24 million Kulaks were killed, 35,000 red army soldiers were killed.

Question 3

What were the three show trials?

Answer 3

The trial of 16 - in 1936 there was the public execution of Kamenev and Zinoviev and some supporters.
The trial of 17 - in 1937 there was the public execution of 17 of Trotsky’s former supporters.
The trial of 21 - in 1938 there as the public execution of Bukharin and his supporters.

Question 4

What were the secret trials?

Answer 4

Trials held in private to test people’s loyalty to Stalin.
All of the Red Army leaders were trialed.
8 senior generals were tried for attempting to overthrow the government - all were executed.

Question 5

Who were the victims of the purge?

Answer 5

Any opposition of Stalin, particularly political opponents.

Question 6

What were the economic reasons behind the great purge?

Answer 6

• Stalin needed everyone together
• There were industrial and agricultural problems - the terror created an army of slave labours which he could put to use.

Question 7

What were the consequences of the great purge?

Answer 7

• It eliminated all of Stalin’s rivals from the 1920s.
• It removed all party members who could claim authority that was independent from Stalin.
• A new generation of party members emerged.