7. Stalin’s Great Purge (1936-1938)
Between 1936 and 1938, Joseph Stalin’s Great Purge led to the execution or exile of millions in the Soviet Union. Citizens lived in constant fear of arrest over mere suspicion. While political purges occurred elsewhere, Stalin’s was notable for its secrecy and paranoia. The NKVD, under Stalin’s direction, conducted mass arrests, torture, and executions, targeting perceived enemies of the state. The purges decimated the Communist Party, military leadership, and intellectuals, leaving a legacy of fear and repression (britannica.com).
