Purges, Terror and Show Trials.

1. What is the significance of Kirov's murder?
Answer: The significance of the Kirov murder what that it gave Stalin an excuse to purge the party, and begin the show trials.
2.  According to Stalin, who had Nikolayev been working for when he assassinated Kirov? Why is this significant?
Answer: According to Stalin Nikolayev was working for the Leningrad Opposition Center, this is significant because it gave him a motive to want to eliminate a major party leader, such as Kirov, Stalin etc; as an act of "terrorism" against the communist party.
3. What is a Trotskyite?
Answer: A Trotskyite was someone who was not loyal to the party, and were loyal to Trotsky and the way that he would have run the party, and his side and views. They were often denounced in party meetings or put in show trials.
4. There are three major Show Trials, name and briefly describe them.
Answer: 1. The Trial of the Sixteen- this involved Zinoviev, Kamenev, and 14 others; they were accused of involvement in conspiracy, relating to Trotsky.
2. Trial of the Seventeen- the victims were accused of having links to Trotsky, and creating terrorist actions, and wrecking industry.  3. Trial of the Twenty-One- involved Buhkarin, Rykov, and 19 others; they were accused of helping foregin spies, being Trotsky-Righists, and wrecking industry.
5. During the Great Terror, there were three stages to the purges, staring with members of the Communist party. What were the next two stages and what type of people were purged?
Answer: The next two stages were purges of the armed forces and the general public of the USSR. Neighbours could rat out their neighbours and no one was safe. 

Kirov Murder Mystery

Sorry! This is copied out of a word doc!:)


1. In what circumstances ti the assassin carry out the murder?
He was able to get into the building while Kirov's body guard was downstairs, wait in the hallway all day, and then while his body guard was not with him, shot Kirov. Previously the assassin was caught, questioned but given back his gun. 2. What strange coincidences surround the murder?
Kirov had just gained popularity among the 7th party congress- making him a threat to Stalin, the man who assassinated Mr. Kirov was also seen near his building, and neigborhood right before the murder- he also had NKVD friends, whom he enjoyed shooting his revolver with. 3. Is there any evidence to link Stalin to the murder?
although there is no evidence, there is however a lot of conspiracy that he was eliminating the competition, and that he was aiming to make himself the only person in power; as well as beginning show trials, and the reason to purge. 
4. Is there any evidence to suggest that the NKVD was involved in the murder?
Yes, they had earlier questioned the assassin and let HIM go with his revolver, it is also alleged that an NKVD man posed as Nikolayev's friend and shot his revolver with him, as if to teach him how to use his revolver.
5. Who had the best motive for the murder?
Stalin, because he wouldn't want to have anyone who would be competing with him for the power of the party, especially if they were more popular then stalin. Also, i think that he would not have wanted anyone to get in the way of his purging. 
6. What theories can you suggest about who was responsible - was it the assassin alone or were others involved?
I think that the assassin was  influenced by the NKVD and Stalin because they would have the most reasons to be motivated to kill off Kirov for security of power, and security of the popular vote. They would also be more experienced (NKVD) in the art of assassination.