General
Although the Purges were generally associated with Stalinism, the first purges were carried out by the Bolsheviks as early as 1921.
The Purges were motivated by the desire to cleanse the Communist Party of Soviet Union from "counterrevolutionaries" and "enemies of the people". This was a move to consolidate the position and power of Joseph Stalin. The purge was justified by the necessity to get rid of the members who joined the Party simply to be on the "winning side", but weren't Communists at heart. From 1921-1933, to be purged meant no further punishments other than being forced to leave the party. However, from 1936 onwards, to be purged meant almost certain arrest and even worse fates such as imprisonment and execution.
The Purges were motivated by the desire to cleanse the Communist Party of Soviet Union from "counterrevolutionaries" and "enemies of the people". This was a move to consolidate the position and power of Joseph Stalin. The purge was justified by the necessity to get rid of the members who joined the Party simply to be on the "winning side", but weren't Communists at heart. From 1921-1933, to be purged meant no further punishments other than being forced to leave the party. However, from 1936 onwards, to be purged meant almost certain arrest and even worse fates such as imprisonment and execution.