Answer:
C
Step-by-step explanation:
Although Stalin had been the leader of the Soviet Union since 1924, he feared his political opponents would remove him from his position. In the 1930s, he began a campaign called the Great Purge. During the Great Purge, Stalin was successful in getting rid of almost all of his political opponents. Thousands of Soviets were arrested or executed because they were believed to be threats to Stalin.