The Terror, also known as the Red Terror, was a period of violence and repression carried out by the Bolsheviks in Russia between 1918 and 1922. During this time, thousands of people were arrested, executed, or sent to prison camps without trial, and there was widespread violence and intimidation against perceived enemies of the Bolshevik regime.
Some historians argue that the Terror was a response to the increasing opposition faced by the Bolsheviks in mid-1918, including military intervention by foreign powers and domestic resistance from groups like the White Army. According to this view, the Bolsheviks saw violence and repression as necessary to maintain their grip on power and prevent their opponents from gaining ground.
Others argue that the Terror was an inevitable outcome of the Bolshevik movement's history, ideology, and methodology before it seized power. This view suggests that the Bolsheviks were committed to a revolutionary vision that prioritized the interests of the working class above all else, and that they saw violence and repression as necessary tools to achieve this vision. According to this perspective, the Terror was a logical extension of the Bolsheviks' ideology and tactics, rather than a response to specific circumstances.
It is important to note that there is no single answer to this question, and different historians may have different perspectives on the causes and motivations behind the Terror. However, by considering the historical context and examining primary sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors that contributed to this period of violence and repression in Russian history.