OGPU facts for kids
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 15th, 1923 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Dissolved | 1934 |
| Superseding agency |
|
| Type | Secret police |
| Headquarters | Lubyanka Square, Moscow |
| Agency executives |
|
| Parent agency | .svg){kind=small} Council of the People's Commissars |
The OGPU was a secret police organization in the Soviet Union. It existed from 1922 to 1934. Its full name was the Joint State Political Directorate. The OGPU took over from an earlier secret police group called the Cheka. Later, it became part of the NKVD.
Contents
OGPU's Growing Powers
The OGPU was supposed to be less harsh than the Cheka. However, its powers actually grew over time. In 1926, new laws made it easier for the OGPU to act. These laws were about "anti-state terrorism". They were written in a way that allowed the OGPU to interpret them very broadly. This meant the OGPU could use them for many different situations.
The OGPU could hold special hearings for serious cases. These hearings often took place without calling any witnesses. This gave the OGPU a lot of power. Over time, the OGPU became even more powerful than the Cheka had been.
The Trust Operation
One of the OGPU's most famous actions was the Trust Operation. This happened between 1924 and 1925. OGPU agents pretended to be part of a large group. This group claimed to be working to overthrow the communist government. They called themselves the "Trust".
The agents contacted Russians who had left the country. These exiled Russians believed the "Trust" was real. They gave the group a lot of money and supplies. Even foreign spy agencies were tricked by the OGPU. The "Trust" managed to trick a leading anti-communist, Sidney Reilly. He was lured into Russia to meet with the group. Once he was in Russia, he was captured. This was a big success for the OGPU and helped the government's propaganda.
Dealing with Opposition
From 1927 to 1929, the OGPU worked hard to find people who opposed the government. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, made it clear that any opposing ideas were dangerous. He gave the OGPU the power to find and deal with anyone seen as an enemy. Many people faced trials during Stalin's Five Year Plan.
Other Responsibilities
The OGPU was also in charge of creating the Gulag system. The Gulag was a network of forced labor camps. Many people who were seen as enemies of the state were sent there.
The OGPU also played a big role in stopping religious practices. It made it difficult for people to follow the Russian Orthodox Church. It also targeted Greek Catholics, Latin Catholics, Islam, and other religious groups. The OGPU was also the main agency for finding and stopping anarchists and other groups who disagreed with the early Soviet government.
End of the OGPU
In July 1934, the OGPU was merged into a new organization. This new group was called the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, or NKVD. Later, the NKVD itself changed into the more well-known Committee for State Security, or KGB.
See also
In Spanish: OGPU para niños
