Given the secrecy of the Soviet government, it is difficult to establish exactly how many died during these so-called purges (purging means ridding the system of hostile elements). It seems clear, however, that during the 1930s at least one million were executed and over 10 million sent to camps from which few were released. Over the period 1936-50 as a whole one historian has estimated that there were 12 million deaths.

Why did the Purges Take Place

Why did Stalin embark on this incredible reign of terror?

Partly it was through fear that other leading communists might try to get rid of him. This is why he disposed of so many of the figures of the early years of the Revolution - men like Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin, and the head of the Red Army, Marshal Tukachevsky. These men were often tortured and forced to confess to crimes that they had never committed. Their 'show trials' were held in public and broadcast to the world as a way of providing some excuse for what Stalin was doing. Stalin's fears, however, were out of all proportion to any threat that there might have been to his position.

It was also a way of terrorising the people of the USSR into obeying orders and working hard. Stalin's economic policies required a very disciplined work force and the purges were one way of trying to achieve this. The effect, however, was often the opposite of what was intended. Factory managers were too frightened to point out how things were going wrong, falsified their figures, and were too terrified to criticise decisions made by people higher up.

In the end the terror seemed to acquire a life of its own. Once the machinery of secret police, informers and prison camps had been established, it was easy just to carry on using it, even if it no longer served any particular purpose.

The Effects of Reign of Terror on USSR?

Firstly, misery, suffering and death for millions - both the victims themselves and their relatives, many of whom lived for years (sometimes for the rest of their lives) not knowing what had happened to their loved ones.

Secondly, it established Stalin as the unchallenged leader of the country. There seemed no possibility now that anyone would dare to threaten his rule. Even during the Second World War, when the Soviet armies were defeated again and again, Stalin's position was perfectly safe. In part, this was due to the purges. During the 1930s Stalin deliberately encouraged the development of a 'personality cult'. In doing this Stalin was moving further and further away from the original ideas of the Bolsheviks. It was certainly something that Lenin had always been very keen to avoid.

Thirdly, the purges made the USSR less able to cope with Hitler's attack when it eventually came. Many of the country's best people had disappeared. In particular the purge of the Red Army in 1937-38 (in which leading generals and over half of the officers had been removed) left the country's armed forces in a much weakened state.