Notes
- 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)
Summary
Since Stalin feared that he would be overthrown he created the NKVD as police officers to remove any threats to him. Many executed, put on show trails, and charged with treason.
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Quote
The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.
Subjunctive Question
What would have happened if Stalin did not create the NKVD? Would he have been overthrown?