Great Purge

Definition

The Great Purge was a campaign of political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938, orchestrated by Joseph Stalin. It involved widespread arrests, executions, and the imprisonment of perceived enemies of the state, including party officials, military leaders, and ordinary citizens. This event is significant as it occurred during a time of economic hardship and social unrest linked to the Great Depression, reflecting the regime's desperation to consolidate power and eliminate opposition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Purge led to the execution or imprisonment of millions, with estimates suggesting that around 1 million people were executed during this period.
2. Stalin utilized the NKVD (the Soviet secret police) to carry out the purges, targeting not only political rivals but also ordinary citizens suspected of disloyalty.
3. The purges severely weakened the Soviet military, as many experienced officers were executed or imprisoned, impacting the USSR's readiness in World War II.
4. Many ethnic minorities faced particularly harsh treatment during the Great Purge, leading to deportations and other forms of oppression based on perceived threats to national security.
5. The Great Purge created a climate of fear and paranoia throughout the Soviet Union, contributing to a culture where loyalty to Stalin was paramount and dissent was ruthlessly punished.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Purge reflect Stalin's broader strategies for maintaining power within the Soviet Union?
  • The Great Purge exemplified Stalin's use of extreme measures to eliminate any potential threats to his authority. By targeting not only political rivals but also ordinary citizens who were deemed disloyal, Stalin created an atmosphere of fear that discouraged opposition. The purges allowed him to consolidate power by replacing those who might challenge him with loyal supporters who had little power or influence.
• In what ways did the economic challenges of the Great Depression influence the context in which the Great Purge occurred?
  • The economic difficulties during the Great Depression contributed to social unrest and dissatisfaction with the existing regime in the Soviet Union. Stalin's response was to initiate the Great Purge as a way to divert attention from economic failures and reinforce his control over the state. By eliminating potential dissenters and rallying support through propaganda that painted these purges as necessary for national security, Stalin sought to stabilize his regime amid widespread instability.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Purge on Soviet society and governance beyond the immediate effects of repression.
  • The long-term impacts of the Great Purge reshaped Soviet society by instilling a culture of fear that stifled creativity, dissent, and critical thought for decades. The purges decimated intellectual and military leadership, leaving a void that affected governance and policy-making during World War II and beyond. Furthermore, the purges solidified Stalin's authoritarian rule but also set precedents for future repressions under subsequent leaders. The societal trauma from this period contributed to a legacy of distrust toward government institutions and an emphasis on loyalty over competence.

Related terms

Stalinism: A political ideology based on the policies and practices of Joseph Stalin, emphasizing state control over all aspects of life, including the economy and society.

Five-Year Plans: Centralized economic plans initiated by Stalin aimed at rapidly industrializing the Soviet economy, often at great human cost and with forced collectivization.

Show Trials: Public trials held during the Great Purge in which prominent political figures were forced to confess to fabricated charges, serving to legitimize Stalin's repressive measures.