The Cheka was the first state security organization in Soviet Russia, established in December 1917 to combat counter-revolutionaries and protect the Bolshevik regime. It played a crucial role during the Russian Civil War by enforcing loyalty to the new government, suppressing dissent, and conducting political repression. The Cheka's actions were often brutal and included widespread arrests, executions, and the use of terror as a tool to maintain control and consolidate power.
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