Political Opposition and Stalin's Purges
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How significant was political opposition as a reason why Stalin launched the purges in the 1930s? Explain your answer.
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The political opposition was a significant reason why Stalin launched the purges in the 1930s. He aimed to remove his rivals within the party, including 'Old Bolsheviks', Trotskyists, and right-wing supporters of the NEP. The murder of Kirov in 1934 served as an excuse to initiate the purges, and show trials were employed to eliminate influential leaders such as Zinoviev, Kamenev, and later Bukharin. Around 500,000 party members were arrested and either executed or exiled to gulags. Removing opposition was crucial for Stalin to ensure the success of his Second Revolution, which focused on 'Socialism in one Country' and industrialization, without facing resistance. It also reduced the power and influence of the Red Army, as Stalin feared they posed a threat to his rule. Numerous officers were arrested, and the majority of generals were purged. In addition to his party rivals and the military, Stalin targeted intellectuals, artists, writers, and scientists to eliminate opposition from the general population and build a totalitarian state. Removing class enemies, such as Nepmen and kulaks, also played into this objective. The purges ultimately bolstered Stalin's control over security forces like the NKVD, positioning him as Lenin's legitimate successor and an unchallengeable leader.
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How significant was political opposition as a reason why Stalin launched the purges in the 1930s? Explain your answer. Yes Stalin wanted to remove his rivals in the party – mainly ‘Old Bolsheviks’, Trotskyists and right-wing supporters of the NEP; used murder of Kirov in 1934 as an excuse to launch purges; show trials used to remove important leaders such as Zinoviev and Kamenev and later Bukharin; 500 000 members were arrested and either executed or exiled to gulags; Stalin wanted to ensure his Second Revolution which focused on ‘Socialism in one Country’ and industrialisation was not resisted, etc. No More significant – reduced the power and influence of the Red Army; Stalin feared they could overthrow him; 25 000 officers arrested and 90% of generals were purged; wanted to remove opposition from the general population to build totalitarian state – targeted intellectuals such as poets, artists and writers as well as scientists; removal of Nepmen and kulaks as class enemies (could be used as a YES argument); increased Stalin's control over the security forces such as the NKVD; allowed Stalin to position himself as Lenin's legitimate successor and unchallengeable leader, etc.