Vanguard
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814757437
- eISBN:
- 9780814763469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814757437.003.0049
- Subject:
- History, Cultural History
This chapter warns against the GPU—Soviet agents—particularly those operating in the United States, and exposes their possible involvement in the disappearance of Juliet Poyntz, a trade-union ...
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This chapter warns against the GPU—Soviet agents—particularly those operating in the United States, and exposes their possible involvement in the disappearance of Juliet Poyntz, a trade-union activist and former Communist leader. It examines how the recent case of Robinson-Rubens and the disappearance of Pointz reveal the methods of the GPU; how the Moscow trials are prepared, how witnesses and “confessions” may be obtained, and how undesirables are disposed of, by pointing to several key players and coincidences involved in these conspiracies. The chapter goes on to argue that the safety of anti-Stalinists is at stake, as the Stalinist GPU agents breach American shores.Less
This chapter warns against the GPU—Soviet agents—particularly those operating in the United States, and exposes their possible involvement in the disappearance of Juliet Poyntz, a trade-union activist and former Communist leader. It examines how the recent case of Robinson-Rubens and the disappearance of Pointz reveal the methods of the GPU; how the Moscow trials are prepared, how witnesses and “confessions” may be obtained, and how undesirables are disposed of, by pointing to several key players and coincidences involved in these conspiracies. The chapter goes on to argue that the safety of anti-Stalinists is at stake, as the Stalinist GPU agents breach American shores.
The New International
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780814757437
- eISBN:
- 9780814763469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9780814757437.003.0051
- Subject:
- History, Cultural History
This chapter discusses the details of the executions of Henryk Ehrlich and Victor Alter, both leaders of the Bund in Poland, by Stalin. Ehrlich and Alter were both arrested by the GPU when the Red ...
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This chapter discusses the details of the executions of Henryk Ehrlich and Victor Alter, both leaders of the Bund in Poland, by Stalin. Ehrlich and Alter were both arrested by the GPU when the Red Army invaded Poland, who would later execute them in secret as agents of Hitler's Gestapo. The chapter explains that, despite the fact that both men were fairly small-time socialists who operated within a localized setting, quite out international bounds, their attempts to organize resistance in Warsaw to the German invader and their general anti-fascist activity in the period leading to their arrest, led to their incarceration by the GPU. In addition, the chapter looks at certain inconsistencies discovered within Stalinist reports of their deaths, and considers further implications regarding their execution.Less
This chapter discusses the details of the executions of Henryk Ehrlich and Victor Alter, both leaders of the Bund in Poland, by Stalin. Ehrlich and Alter were both arrested by the GPU when the Red Army invaded Poland, who would later execute them in secret as agents of Hitler's Gestapo. The chapter explains that, despite the fact that both men were fairly small-time socialists who operated within a localized setting, quite out international bounds, their attempts to organize resistance in Warsaw to the German invader and their general anti-fascist activity in the period leading to their arrest, led to their incarceration by the GPU. In addition, the chapter looks at certain inconsistencies discovered within Stalinist reports of their deaths, and considers further implications regarding their execution.
Stuart Finkel
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300122411
- eISBN:
- 9780300145076
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300122411.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
This chapter discusses the Soviet regime's efforts to eliminate the threat posed by ideological enemies while retaining those members of the intelligentsia who could be reformed and made useful. ...
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This chapter discusses the Soviet regime's efforts to eliminate the threat posed by ideological enemies while retaining those members of the intelligentsia who could be reformed and made useful. Throughout 1922, the GPU oversaw the expulsions, the development of a system of internal exile, the coordination of the censorship apparatus, and the registration of nongovernmental organizations and their congresses. In the process, it did much to consolidate its power, authority, and scope.Less
This chapter discusses the Soviet regime's efforts to eliminate the threat posed by ideological enemies while retaining those members of the intelligentsia who could be reformed and made useful. Throughout 1922, the GPU oversaw the expulsions, the development of a system of internal exile, the coordination of the censorship apparatus, and the registration of nongovernmental organizations and their congresses. In the process, it did much to consolidate its power, authority, and scope.
Józef Mackiewicz
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300145694
- eISBN:
- 9780300145700
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300145694.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
This chapter examines the history of the first “great provocation”, which related to the evolution of communism. It discusses the opinions of Soviet affairs experts Ryszard Wraga and Charles Malamuth ...
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This chapter examines the history of the first “great provocation”, which related to the evolution of communism. It discusses the opinions of Soviet affairs experts Ryszard Wraga and Charles Malamuth on the Operation Trust of the Soviet Union State Political Directorate (GPU), which is considered to be one of the most interesting cases in the history of provocation. It also considers hitherto unpublished notes of Vladimir Lenin which called the cultured classes of Western Europe and America blind and deaf because of their inability to understand the real balance of forces.Less
This chapter examines the history of the first “great provocation”, which related to the evolution of communism. It discusses the opinions of Soviet affairs experts Ryszard Wraga and Charles Malamuth on the Operation Trust of the Soviet Union State Political Directorate (GPU), which is considered to be one of the most interesting cases in the history of provocation. It also considers hitherto unpublished notes of Vladimir Lenin which called the cultured classes of Western Europe and America blind and deaf because of their inability to understand the real balance of forces.
David R. Shearer and Vladimir Khaustov
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780300171891
- eISBN:
- 9780300210712
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300171891.003.0002
- Subject:
- History, Russian and Former Soviet Union History
This chapter examines closely Iosif Stalin as general secretary of the Communist Party. With the new political administration, the image, function, and name of the Cheka was redefined. The chapter ...
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This chapter examines closely Iosif Stalin as general secretary of the Communist Party. With the new political administration, the image, function, and name of the Cheka was redefined. The chapter shows that the new State Political Administration (GPU) maintained broad powers, including the right to continue, or establish, extra-judicial sentencing boards. Stalin tried to use the OGPU to improve his own authority, and the authority of the Bolsheviks against their alleged opponents.Less
This chapter examines closely Iosif Stalin as general secretary of the Communist Party. With the new political administration, the image, function, and name of the Cheka was redefined. The chapter shows that the new State Political Administration (GPU) maintained broad powers, including the right to continue, or establish, extra-judicial sentencing boards. Stalin tried to use the OGPU to improve his own authority, and the authority of the Bolsheviks against their alleged opponents.
Jeronim Perović
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780190889890
- eISBN:
- 9780190942991
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190889890.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
This chapter explains developments during the early 1920s, when the Bolsheviks, for the sake of consolidating their still shaky hold on power, were eager to win over the rural populations and ...
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This chapter explains developments during the early 1920s, when the Bolsheviks, for the sake of consolidating their still shaky hold on power, were eager to win over the rural populations and strengthen the alliances they had forged during the Civil War. One way to achieve this was to accommodate aspirations for freedom through the creation of autonomous administrative units in the form of ethnically defined territories, and by promoting members of the so called “titular nations” to positions of power. In the early 1920s, the Bolsheviks even co-opted religious figures into administrative local structures in order to expand their power basis and gain the trust of the native populations. This chapter provides an insight into developments in the Soviet North Caucasus through the life story of the famous Chechen Sheikh Ali Mitaev, whom the Bolsheviks included into the regional Chechen government in 1923, only to arrest and kill him two years later. At the same time, the Bolsheviks also conducted several campaigns to disarm the male population. The case of Mitaev illustrates the ambiguities of Soviet nationalities policies, especially regarding their attitude towards Muslims, as well as the complex struggle for power and influence in the non-Russian populated North Caucasus region.Less
This chapter explains developments during the early 1920s, when the Bolsheviks, for the sake of consolidating their still shaky hold on power, were eager to win over the rural populations and strengthen the alliances they had forged during the Civil War. One way to achieve this was to accommodate aspirations for freedom through the creation of autonomous administrative units in the form of ethnically defined territories, and by promoting members of the so called “titular nations” to positions of power. In the early 1920s, the Bolsheviks even co-opted religious figures into administrative local structures in order to expand their power basis and gain the trust of the native populations. This chapter provides an insight into developments in the Soviet North Caucasus through the life story of the famous Chechen Sheikh Ali Mitaev, whom the Bolsheviks included into the regional Chechen government in 1923, only to arrest and kill him two years later. At the same time, the Bolsheviks also conducted several campaigns to disarm the male population. The case of Mitaev illustrates the ambiguities of Soviet nationalities policies, especially regarding their attitude towards Muslims, as well as the complex struggle for power and influence in the non-Russian populated North Caucasus region.
