Final answer:
The two most infamous examples of state terror in the 20th century are the Holocaust, resulting in approximately 12 million deaths, half of whom were Jewish, and Stalin's Great Purge, which caused up to 1 million deaths directly and estimates of broader oppression reach up to 60 to 65 million.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 20th century saw some of the most infamous examples of state terror, with staggering death tolls that serve as some of the darkest chapters in human history. The two most notorious cases are the Holocaust during World War II and Stalin's Great Purge in the Soviet Union.
The Holocaust was Hitler's attempt to exterminate the Jewish people, part of his 'Final Solution' agenda. This systematic genocide also targeted minority groups including Catholics, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals. The Holocaust resulted in the deaths of approximately 12 million people, with 6 million of them being Jewish.
In the Soviet Union, Josef Stalin's reign was marked by considerable terror and oppression. The Great Purge accounted for the deaths of countless individuals, with some historical estimates suggesting around 1 million people lost their lives. The widespread arrests, executions, and the creation of Gulags contributed to the high death toll during Stalin's rule, with estimates of non-war-related deaths reaching as high as 60 to 65 million, although lower estimates suggest around 10 to 15 million people.