Show trials and the great purges
- stalin feared a counter revolution
- formed police called the NKVD
- old heroes of revolution or anyone with popular support charged with treason (considered threats)
- ⅕ army officers executed
- “show trials” forced to admit they had done it (under duress)
Summary
Russian citizens were oppressed and had little voice under Stalin's leadership. He was a ruthless dictator who crushed anyone who tried to speak for the in his Iron grip.
What if Stalin hadn't used a campaign of oppression? Would the Russian people have embraced communism or rose up against it?