Final answer:
While Bolshevik ideology allowed for violent repression, Stalin's personal paranoia and leadership were more directly responsible for the Great Terror, as evidenced by the massive numbers of arrests and executions under his rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
In analyzing what caused the Great Terror, one can argue that Joseph Stalin's interpretations and actions were a more significant cause compared to Bolshevik ideology. For example, the assassination of Sergei Kirov in 1934 and the subsequent investigation led Stalin to believe there was a plot against him. This event, compounded by the challenges of collectivization and anti-Soviet rhetoric from abroad, intensified Stalin's paranoia, leading to the oppressive and violent purges during the Great Terror. However, one could also argue that the Bolshevik ideology, with its roots in violent class struggle and a tendency towards authoritarian measures to maintain party purity, provided the framework that enabled the Great Terror. For instance, the Bolshevik belief, as expressed by Feliks Dzerzhinskii, that violent actions could be justified in terms of 'requiring sacrifices' for the greater good, set a precedent for the mass purges and repression under Stalin.
Specific Piece of Evidence:
Under Stalin, around 1.7 million suspected dissenters were arrested, and 724,000 people were executed. This demonstrates the extreme lengths to which Stalin would go to consolidate his power and suppress any perceived threats.
Analysis:
While Bolshevik ideology contained elements that could support such actions, it was Stalin's personal leadership and paranoia that directed the specific course of the Great Terror. His manipulation of ideology and the political climate to justify the purges indicates that Stalin's role was pivotal in causing the Great Terror.