Nikolai Yezhov - NKVD

Who was Yezhov?

Nikolai Yezhov joined the Communist Party in 1917, was a political commissar in the Red Army during the civil war and replaced Yagoda as the head of the secret police, or NKVD, in 1936. He was renowned for being vicious and cruel, and he often took part in the torture of the NKVD's victims.

When was Yezhov important?

Yezhov was important during the time of the Great Purge, or Great Terror, between 1936 and 1938.

What was Yezhov's role in the Great Purge?

He was the head of the NKVD and was responsible for the Great Purge as it escalated and spread to become mass terror. This time period is known as the Yezhovshchina.

Why did Yezhov lose his job?

Stalin eventually saw Yezhov as suspect and he was arrested and interrogated. He named many of his own family members as suspects which led to hundreds being rounded up and executed.

How did Yezhov die?

He was put on trial, found guilty and executed on 4th February, 1940.