Stalin

[Segilla]

If it is possible to generalise, how was it possible for Stalin to exercise such a hold by fear over his perceived enemies and rivals? Considering the large numbers purged, the best form of defence would be attack?

[123everton]

It's like many things, somebody had to start it.
Stalin had total control of the government, he even sent Levrenti Beria's wife away, Kruschev acted against Stalin's legacy, and paid for it with his job.

[denis567]

What about Chairman Mao, he held complete power over his Chinese people, being directly responsible for an estimated 70 million deaths, by starvation, torture and execution.
By the way, if 123everton is on-line I would like to say I took your advice and read a couple of books by Xinran. (The Good Women of China and China Witness) both of which made very interesting and thought provoking reading.

[123everton]

Happy to help Dennis, I thought "The Girl Who Kept A Fly As A Pet" was a touching story and the old man who'd survived The Long March being cured of malaria by a Kuo Min Tang air raid hilarious.
I know lots of Chinese people so I know the facial expressions when they will of pulled at the time, check out Liang Shih Chiu, he tells a funny tale about how his land lord's dog tried to attack him.

[redhand]

when in power it does not take much.Look how Blair got this country into two wars recently