The First Move of a Russian Dictator Was on the Fifth Column
Russia has a long and complex history, filled with moments of glory and moments of tragedy. Among these moments, one stands out as a turning point in the country’s political landscape – the rise of a dictator. The first move of this dictator was on the fifth column, a term that would become synonymous with his rule and the beginning of a dark era in Russian history.
The term “fifth column” originated during the Spanish Civil War, when General Emilio Mola coined it to describe the four columns of his army marching towards Madrid, with the fifth column being the people inside the city who would support his troops. Since then, the term has been used to describe a group of people within a country who work to undermine its government or cause chaos from within.
In Russia, the first mention of the fifth column came in 1937, during the Great Purge. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, used the term to refer to those who were deemed enemies of the state. This included political opponents, intellectuals, and anyone who was suspected of disloyalty to the regime. Stalin’s paranoia and thirst for power led to the execution or imprisonment of millions of innocent people, and the fifth column became a tool for his regime to justify these actions.
But it wasn’t until 1938 that the fifth column became the cornerstone of a new form of government in Russia – dictatorship. On December 5th, 1938, Stalin delivered a speech to the Soviet Congress, where he declared that the country was under threat from the fifth column. He claimed that these enemies of the state were working to overthrow the government and that drastic measures were needed to protect the country.
Stalin’s speech was met with thunderous applause from the audience, which consisted of members of the Communist Party and government officials. This was the first time that the term “fifth column” had been used to justify a power grab, and it set the stage for the establishment of a dictatorship in Russia.
The following year, in 1939, the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This alliance would prove to be disastrous for the Soviet people, as it allowed Hitler to invade Poland and start World War II. But for Stalin, it was an opportunity to expand his power and influence.
Using the fifth column as a pretext, Stalin began to purge the Soviet military, government, and society of anyone who he deemed disloyal. The secret police, known as the NKVD, were given free rein to arrest, torture, and execute anyone suspected of being a fifth columnist. This led to a climate of fear and suspicion, where even the closest friends and family members were turned against each other.
The fifth column became a powerful tool for Stalin’s dictatorship, enabling him to eliminate any opposition and consolidate his power. He used it to justify his brutal policies, including the forced collectivization of agriculture, which led to a famine that killed millions of people. The fifth column also served as a scapegoat for any failures or shortcomings of the regime, deflecting blame from Stalin and his inner circle.
But the fifth column was not just a tool for Stalin’s regime; it also became a way of life for the Soviet people. The constant fear of being labeled a fifth columnist led to self-censorship and conformity, as people tried to avoid being targeted by the regime. This fear and paranoia would continue long after Stalin’s death, shaping the Soviet society for decades to come.
In conclusion, the first move of a Russian dictator was on the fifth column, using it as a justification for his rise to power and the establishment of a brutal dictatorship. The term, which originated in the Spanish Civil War, became synonymous with Stalin’s regime and the beginning of a dark era in Russian history. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the devastating consequences of labeling a group of people as enemies of the state.
