Yezhov

Nikolai Yezhov was a Soviet politician and a key figure in the Soviet secret police, the OGPU (later renamed NKVD), during the 1930s. Born in 1895 in the Russian Empire, Yezhov joined the Bolshevik Party in 1918 and quickly rose through the ranks of the secret police. He became the head of the OGPU in 1931, a position he held until his arrest in 1936.

Yezhov is most notorious for his role in the Great Purge, a period of political repression in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. He was a staunch supporter of Joseph Stalin and played a significant role in the persecution and execution of political opponents. Yezhov's methods were characterized by their brutality and efficiency, earning him the nickname "The Terrible" among his peers.

In 1936, Yezhov was arrested and later executed during the Great Purge. His downfall was part of a broader purge within the Soviet leadership, as Stalin sought to consolidate his power. Yezhov's legacy is one of controversy and ambiguity. While he was a key figure in the Soviet secret police and a staunch supporter of Stalin, his methods were often brutal and inefficient, leading to widespread suffering and loss of life. His role in the Great Purge has made him a controversial figure in Soviet and Russian history.