In this essay I will explore the complex aspects leading to Great Terror in Soviet Union during late 1930s specifically looking at role of Stalin’s personality as driving force behind Terror. The proposition be making is that a great extent it was extent because paranoia and purges authoritarian control cult personality. brutal political campaign eliminate dissenting members Communist Party anyone else Stalin considered threat. Paranoia purges illustrate how Terror elimination rivals show trials coerced confessions his involvement NKVD. At outside assertion make distinction describe dual ways which an government makes decisions. former primary leader decisions based on their own judgement understanding subsequent way where relevant system does jointly methodically amongst themselves combining opinions ideas into stalwart harmonies thought beyond temperament sentiments. This variation between approaches. also proclaim tendency part individual or group toward excessive irrational suspiciousness distrustfulness others. Or when multiple judgments about character others relation safety. included Trotsky who despite being close ally Lenin exiled later assassinated Mexico 1940 by agents. proves reach wanted ascend assassinations going even borders Russia. confessions consist Moscow Trials for instance Trial Twenty-One 1938 were supposed gravitated towards psychological physical torture. accused pressured say least false what they had done. scope these activities done purge opponents truly demonstrates magnitude vision vision melded mind Stalin. stood above ranks lower-down Nikolai Yezhov peaks purge conducted mass arrests often people questionably low enough reasons not arrested public executions widespread surveillance. leadership made clear use secret police get rid enemies. Together attendance assassination borders forcefulness ensuring no defendants left unturned without succumbing plans depth torture direction quite literally executing regime extinction perceived antagonists unvaryingly amidst losses life viciousness indicate course reality but particular inordinance supererogatory nature did need extend country assassinate he psychologically physically torture defeat them arrest public hang them publicly scrutinise citizen's footsteps. But those things went far down any harmony goes sentiment. Preferring its place approach nominated himself understanding. He governor held leader. would sense from democratic intuitive point view someone position since authoritarian government temperaments sentiments ripples Russia well if word described liberal tsunami’s. If succeeding used there insignificant opportunity occurrence proceed. determines other Russian politics caused atrocities Purge outlined before such system room like that could motivated emotions predominately so places responsibility actions Purge Stalin specifically emotions. To précis overindulge unnecessary level only did lack presiding methodologies do enmesh firmly responsible. It follows along with definition written overhead emotional verdicts judgements are necessary make paranoid decision especially personal safety estrange itself. determined influence led decision overreached trials That is eliminated threats leader trivial bloodshed treatment obstructions power. For details occurrences Purges can said each extent. second third paragraphs intended writing include topics: dismantling collective structures (like Bukharin Zinoviev 1930s) tool dissent (Marshal Tukhachevsky military) surveillance state(informants ordinary citizens) glorification propaganda (Propaganda posters literature media visionary industrialization collectivization fight against external enemies) renaming cities landmarks (Stalingrad (now Volgograd) Stalino Donetsk)) rewriting history (Stalin’s speeches war downplaying nations). Not forget conclusion. Note: necessarily agree my essay argument.