This essay examines and analyzes the greatest tragedy of 20th century Russia: the show trials,
purges, and terror of the
1930s. The
essay asks the following question: How did the destruction of over 10 million innocent citizens by their own countrymen ever happen? Recent research proves the Stalin was the mastermind of this
insane "witch-hunt," but Stalin was not insane: he had clear and practical motivations behind the slaughter. As unjustified as they are, they do exist and are the focus of discussion and analysis in this paper.