Answer:
to eliminate any and all opposition to Stalin's control
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Great Purges under Stalin was to eliminate any and all opposition to his control in the Soviet Union. Stalin launched a campaign of political repression and persecution in the 1930s, targeting his political rivals, former revolutionaries, and other groups deemed a threat to his power. The Great Purges involved mass arrests, show trials, and executions of millions of people, including government officials, military leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens. The purges were carried out under the pretext of rooting out "enemies of the people" and strengthening the Soviet state, but in reality, they were a brutal means of consolidating Stalin's personal power and eliminating potential challengers to his rule. The purges had a devastating impact on Soviet society, leading to widespread fear and distrust, a loss of intellectual and cultural talent, and a climate of terror that lasted for many years.