Final answer:
The event in question is known as the Great Purge, which took place in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938. Genrikh Yagoda, the head of the NKVD, was given the powers to arrest and execute anyone found guilty of 'terrorist plotting'. The Great Purge had a significant impact on the political climate, resulted in severe consequences for those accused, and contributed to the intensification of political repression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event in question is known as the Great Purge, which took place in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938. On September 5, 1936, Genrikh Yagoda, who was the head of the NKVD (Soviet secret police), was given the powers to arrest and execute anyone found guilty of 'terrorist plotting'. In the course of the Great Purge, over 100 party members were shot, and thousands were arrested and sent to prison camps.
Yagoda was an important figure in the Soviet Union during this period. He served as the head of the NKVD from 1934 to 1936 and played a significant role in carrying out Stalin's purges. Yagoda was responsible for organizing arrests, interrogations, and executions of those accused of counter-revolutionary activities. However, in 1937, Yagoda himself was arrested and later executed as part of Stalin's purges.
The Great Purge had a profound impact on the political climate in the Soviet Union. It created an atmosphere of fear and paranoia, as people lived in constant fear of being denounced and arrested. The purges also led to a significant shift in power and the elimination of political rivals for Stalin, consolidating his control over the country.
The consequences for those accused of 'terrorist plotting' during the Great Purge were severe. Many were executed after being subjected to show trials that were often based on fabricated evidence and forced confessions. Others were sent to prison camps, where they faced harsh conditions and often perished as a result of starvation, overwork, or other forms of abuse.
This event contributed to the intensification of political repression in the Soviet Union. As the purges escalated, the reach of the secret police expanded, and more people were targeted for arrest and execution. The purges also created a climate of fear and suspicion, leading to widespread denunciations and further fueling the cycle of repression.