Stalin's Great Purge: Myths and Realities in the Soviet Red Army
Between 1936 and 1939, Joseph Stalin launched a series of purges, known as the Great Purge, targeting not only political figures but also the military elite of the Soviet Union. This article aims to dissect one aspect of these purges—the Red Army—by examining the reasons behind these drastic measures and the context in which they occurred.
The Initiation and Context of the Purge
Joseph Stalin was a highly paranoid leader, often described as a 'psychotic paranoid in a position of absolute power.' His decision to purge the Red Army was not based on any objective justification but rather on his intense fear of potential threats to his rule.
Reasons for the Purge
1. The Red Army as an Autonomous Entity
The Red Army was a powerful material force that existed outside the normal control of the Communist Party. This autonomy made it a potential threat, capable of overthrowing Stalin’s regime.
2. Officers with Secular Backgrounds and Ideological Disagreements
A significant proportion of the officers in the Red Army had fought in the Civil War under Lev Trotsky’s leadership. Many of these officers were sympathetic to the Left Opposition, further complicating Stalin's consolidation of power.
3. Reflection of Peasant Dissatisfaction
The commanders and officers to a certain degree reflected the dissatisfaction of the peasantry due to the catastrophic effects of forced collectivization. This added to their potential vulnerability if alignment with the peasantry turned inward.
4. Strategic Differences with Trotsky
Marshal Mikhail Tukhachevsky, a prominent leader, had conflicts with Stalin and Kliment Voroshilov on strategic doctrine. Tukhachevsky even warned that the USSR could be drawn into a war with Germany. His proposal for modernizing the Red Army was sharply criticized by Stalin and Voroshilov, hinting at the rivalry between them.
5. Opposition to Fascism and Stalin’s Image
Tukhachevsky expressed strong opposition to fascism and criticized Stalin as a 'Germanophile' who would negotiate with Hitler. These statements further exacerbated his perceived threat to Stalin's authority.
6. Disagreement on Leadership and Conduct
The Red Army leadership was divided over issues with Voroshilov and his group, who exerted significant negative influence on the military. Officers confessed to discussing the need to remove Voroshilov, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with his actions.
7. Stalin's Fear of Prestige and Historical Solidarity
Stalin had genuine fears about Tukhachevsky's prestige and respect among the military. Stalin once referred to Tukhachevsky as a 'little Napoleon,' revealing his concern over Tukhachevsky's leadership capabilities and status.
Stalin's Paranoia
By the late 1920s and early 1930s, Stalin perceived enemies everywhere, even within the bureaucratic and civilian sectors. His paranoia was magnified by his sense of entitlement to the leadership of the Soviet Union—a position he felt was not rightfully his. This combination of paranoia and deep-seated insecurity led to the elimination of perceived threats through the purges.
Conclusion
The purging of the Red Army was a complex and multi-faceted process driven by Stalin's intense paranoia, historical rivalries, and strategic concerns. While justified from Stalin's perspective as a means to secure his power, these purges had lasting and profound impacts on the Soviet military and society at large.
Understanding the context and motivations behind Stalin's Great Purge is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of Soviet history and the challenges faced by authoritarian regimes. The Red Army and its officers serve as a poignant case study in the consolidation of power and the suppression of dissent in the midst of political upheaval.