key term - Great Terror

Definition

The Great Terror refers to a period of intense political repression and purges in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s, particularly under Joseph Stalin's leadership. This phase was characterized by widespread fear, persecution, and mass executions aimed at eliminating perceived enemies of the state, including party members, military leaders, and ordinary citizens. The Great Terror fundamentally reshaped Soviet society, instilling a culture of fear that permeated all aspects of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Terror peaked between 1936 and 1938, during which hundreds of thousands were arrested, with estimates of millions executed or sent to labor camps.
2. Many Communist Party members and military leaders were targeted, leading to a significant weakening of the Red Army and other key institutions.
3. Stalin used propaganda to justify the purges, portraying them as necessary actions against traitors and conspirators attempting to undermine the socialist state.
4. The climate of fear created by the Great Terror led to widespread mistrust among citizens, resulting in a culture where people were encouraged to report on one another.
5. The impact of the Great Terror extended beyond immediate repression; it left a lasting legacy on Soviet society, affecting politics, culture, and individual freedoms for decades.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Terror impact the structure of power within the Soviet government?
  • The Great Terror fundamentally altered the structure of power within the Soviet government by eliminating a large number of high-ranking officials, party members, and military leaders who were perceived as threats to Stalin's authority. This led to a consolidation of power in Stalin's hands and a government dominated by his loyalists. As key figures were removed through arrests and executions, it created a vacuum that allowed Stalin to implement his policies without opposition, ultimately establishing a regime characterized by totalitarian control.
• Evaluate the methods used by the NKVD during the Great Terror and their effects on Soviet society.
  • The NKVD employed brutal methods during the Great Terror, including mass arrests, torture, forced confessions, and executions. These tactics instilled fear among the populace, leading to widespread paranoia and distrust as individuals were often accused based on flimsy evidence or personal vendettas. The effects on Soviet society were profound; not only did they decimate families and communities, but they also suppressed dissent and stifled any potential opposition to Stalin's regime.
• Analyze how propaganda was utilized during the Great Terror to shape public perception and justify state actions.
  • During the Great Terror, propaganda played a crucial role in shaping public perception by framing the purges as necessary measures to protect the socialist state from internal enemies. The government disseminated narratives that depicted targeted individuals as traitors conspiring against the revolution. This manipulation of information helped to garner public support for repressive measures while simultaneously discouraging resistance or questioning of state policies. By controlling the narrative through media and public speeches, Stalin successfully maintained his grip on power while fostering an environment where fear overshadowed reason.

Related terms

Show Trials:

Public trials in the Soviet Union during the Great Terror that were designed to display the supposed guilt of individuals accused of anti-Soviet activities, often featuring forced confessions and predetermined verdicts.

NKVD:

The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, the Soviet secret police responsible for carrying out the purges and enforcing state security during the Great Terror.

Gulag: A government agency that administered forced labor camps in the Soviet Union, where many victims of the Great Terror were imprisoned and subjected to harsh conditions.