The Third Trial (Trial of the 21)

The Trial of the Twenty-One was the third and final Moscow Show Trial, held in March 1938 during Stalin's Great Purge. This trial targeted the last major group of Old Bolsheviks and other high-ranking officials. It aimed to eliminate remaining opposition within the Communist Party and solidify Stalin's absolute control.

Key Figures

• Nikolai Bukharin: Former leading Bolshevik, editor of Pravda, and one of Lenin's close associates.
• Alexei Rykov: Former Premier of the Soviet Union and a key figure in the early Soviet government.
• Genrikh Yagoda: Former head of the NKVD, the Soviet secret police.

Charges

The defendants were accused of:

• Treason and Espionage: Allegedly working with foreign intelligence services to undermine the Soviet state.
• Terrorism: Planning to assassinate Soviet leaders, including Stalin.
• Economic Sabotage: Intentionally damaging the Soviet economy to weaken the government.

The Trial

• Like the previous trials, it was highly publicised and intended to serve as a propaganda tool.
• Defendants were coerced through torture and threats to confess to crimes they did not commit.
• The outcome of the trial was decided in advance, ensuring that all were found guilty.
• Most defendants, including Bukharin, Rykov, and Yagoda, were sentenced to death and executed shortly after the trial.
• A few received lengthy prison sentences, although many of these were later executed or died in custody.

Impact and Significance

• Elimination of Old Bolsheviks: The trial removed the last significant group of Bolsheviks who could potentially challenge Stalin's rule.
• Consolidation of Power: It further secured Stalin's dominance within the Communist Party and the Soviet state.
• Climate of Fear: Reinforced the atmosphere of fear and repression, ensuring obedience and discouraging dissent.
• Legacy of Terror: The trial contributed to the lasting legacy of the Great Purge, which saw widespread executions and imprisonments, deeply scarring Soviet society.

Key Quotes

1. "I am guilty of nothing but the desire to see socialism flourish." - Nikolai Bukharin's forced confession.
2. "We must rid ourselves once and for all of the traitors in our midst." - Stalin's propaganda message.
3. "History will absolve us." - Bukharin's final words before execution, reflecting his belief in future vindication.

Importance of the Third Show Trial

• The Trial of the Twenty-One was crucial in consolidating Stalin's absolute power by eliminating the last significant group of Old Bolsheviks, including prominent figures like Nikolai Bukharin and Alexei Rykov.

  

• This trial reinforced the atmosphere of fear and repression, ensuring total obedience within the Communist Party and Soviet society. By securing forced confessions and executing key rivals, Stalin effectively silenced any potential opposition.

• The trial also served as powerful propaganda, portraying Stalin as the protector of the Soviet state against alleged traitors, thus legitimising his authoritarian rule and the ongoing Great Purge.