Ethnic Tensions and Bolshevik Power Dynamics

This chapter explores the historical context of the Cheka and early Bolshevik leadership, highlighting key discussions among figures like Trotsky and Stalin about ethnic representation within the Communist Party. It delves into the roles of various ethnic minorities, particularly Jewish individuals, in the Soviet punitive agencies during the Red Terror, emphasizing their complex identities and the disconnect from local populations. Additionally, the chapter critiques the naive expectations of certain groups regarding their autonomy under Soviet rule, while reflecting on the brutal methods employed by the Cheka against perceived enemies.