The terror

• Force + violence to conform
• caused opposition but cheka removed this oppsotion
• Establishment of Cheka:

  • Cheka (The Extraordinary Commission to Combat Counterrevolution and Sabotage) established on Dec. 7, 1917, a precursor to the KGB.
  • Initially addressed political repression, speculation, hoarding, hooliganism, corruption, and abuse of authority.
  • Early years saw summary executions without trials.
  • Led by Felix Dzerzhinsky, Cheka developed a mystique of terror.
  • Initial terror faced local, undisciplined aspects, yet enjoyed some popular support.
• Evolution of Terror:

  • Terror evolved into a means of destroying foes, intimidating enemies, and purging Communist ranks.
  • Lenin endorsed terror as a justifiable revolutionary weapon.
• Purge of Opposition:

  • Purge of anarchists and internal opposition preceded confrontations with Left SRs.
  • During April 1918, lightning Cheka raids destroyed the anarchists' centers in Moscow.
• Left SRs Coup Attempt:

  • Left SRs attempted coup in July 1918, aiming to overthrow the Bolsheviks.
  • Opening of the Fifth Congress of Soviets witnessed a violent attack on Lenin by the SR members.
  • Two conspirators broke into the German Embassy and assassinated Ambassador Count Mirbach.
  • SR members of the Cheka staged a revolt and imprisoned their communist bosses.
  • Simultaneous SR-sponsored revolts broke out in provincial cities.
  • Mutinous SR Cheka members were executed, and strong local insurrections were put down.
  • Left SRs accused of acting in the interests of monarchists and international capital.
• Aftermath and Wave of Terror:

  • Wave of terror followed, solidifying one-party state as a terror regime.
  • Revolutionary Tribunal set up to try enemies of the Revolution.
  • Thousands perished in the basement and courtyard of the Cheka HQ in the 'Lubyanka'.
  • July 1918 marked the consolidation of the terror regime.
• Historical Perspectives:

  • Western historians PIPES reject excuses for Cheka, see it as coercion to maintain unpopular revolution. 6 weeks after oct rev 1917 cheka
  • Soviet Archives reveal Lenin's ruthless nature.