The Great Purges
• Stalin feared being overthrown or
having a counter-revolution
• He formed a secret police called the
NKVD to remove threats
• Old heroes of the revolution or
anyone with popular support charged with treason (Seen as
threats)
• 1 in 5 officers of the army executed
• Often put on trial “show trials” forced to admit they had done it
(under duress)
having a counter-revolution
• He formed a secret police called the
NKVD to remove threats
• Old heroes of the revolution or
anyone with popular support charged with treason (Seen as
threats)
• 1 in 5 officers of the army executed
• Often put on trial “show trials” forced to admit they had done it
(under duress)