Old Bolshevik

An Old Bolshevik (?????? ?????????) was a member of the Bolsheviks before the Russian Revolution.

Related Topics:
Bolshevik - Russian Revolution

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Josef Stalin removed nearly all Old Bolsheviks from power during the Great Purges of the 1930s. Most were executed for treason after show trials, some were sent to labor camps, and a few (e.g., Alexandra Kollontai) were sent abroad as ambassadors, effectively preventing them from participating in the central government.

Related Topics:
Josef Stalin - Great Purges - 1930s - Treason - Show trials - Labor camp - Alexandra Kollontai

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Many communist opponents of Stalin, most notably the Trotskyists, cite this fact in support of their argument that Stalin betrayed the aims of the revolution for his own gain.

Related Topics:
Communist - Trotskyists

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