[bit.listserv.history] stalin

OCONNOKR@LEMOYNE (02/12/90)

Could anyone answer a few questions?  Perhaps the infamous Valentine Smith?


1)  How many people did Stalin have killed during his purges?

2)  How many Armenians were killed inm Turkey earlier in this century?


I hear wildly different numbers and I am a Social Studies teacher and would
appreciate the info, and any commentary anyone could give.


Kieran OConnor

Syracuse NY

RYLE@URVAX (Martin Ryle) (02/12/90)

In reply to Kieran OConner's query, Stephen Cohen estimates the number killed
during collectivization and the first five year plan to be in the neighborhood
of 10-12 millions.  An additional million or so died in the purges proper,
including only party members.  Add the 20 millions in WWII, and the size of
the disaster over which Stalin presided becomes almost beyond comprehension.
These figures do not include those taken into the Gulag during the late 30's
and after 1945.

Martin Ryle
University of Richmond, VA
ryle@urvax.urich.edu