Yezhov

Yezhov, Nikolai Ivanovich (1895-1940)

Nikolai Ivanovich Yezhov was a Soviet secret police official under Joseph Stalin, most notorious for heading the NKVD from 1936 to 1938, during the most intense period of the Great Purge, also known as the Yezhovshchina (Ежовщина), or "Yezhov era."

Born in Saint Petersburg, Yezhov rose through the ranks of the Communist Party, holding various political and administrative positions. His unwavering loyalty to Stalin and ruthless efficiency led to his appointment as head of the NKVD, replacing Genrikh Yagoda.

Under Yezhov's leadership, the NKVD intensified its efforts to eliminate perceived enemies of the state. Mass arrests, show trials, executions, and forced labor became commonplace. Quotas were established for arrests and executions, creating an atmosphere of terror and paranoia. Millions of Soviet citizens were targeted, including political opponents, intellectuals, military officers, and ordinary people accused of counter-revolutionary activities.

Yezhov also oversaw the expansion of the Gulag system, where millions of prisoners were subjected to brutal conditions and forced labor. He personally signed death warrants and supervised interrogations.

However, Yezhov's power was ultimately short-lived. As the Purge reached its peak, Stalin began to fear Yezhov's growing influence. In 1939, Yezhov was removed from his position and subsequently arrested. He was accused of anti-Soviet activities, espionage, and homosexuality.

Nikolai Yezhov was executed in 1940. After his death, he became a non-person in Soviet history. His image was removed from official photographs, and his name was erased from historical accounts. He became a symbol of the excesses and brutality of the Stalinist era. The term "Yezhovshchina" remains a chilling reminder of the Great Purge.