What was the great purge and who was targeted?

The Great Purge, occurring in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938, was a campaign of political repression orchestrated by Joseph Stalin. It primarily targeted perceived enemies of the state, including Communist Party members, military leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens accused of anti-Soviet activities. The purge resulted in hundreds of thousands of executions and millions of people imprisoned in labor camps. It aimed to eliminate dissent and consolidate Stalin's power, fostering an atmosphere of fear and paranoia.