The beginning of the Big Terror

On December, 1st, 1934 in a corridor of Smolnogo (where in a Soviet period took places Leningrad obkom parties) the party leader of Leningrad, a member of the Political bureau of Central Committee S.M have been shot. Kirov. Its murderer - 30-year-old Party member Leonid Nikolaev. That Kirov is killed at desire and Stalin's order in the USSR openly have started to speak only in the late fifties But in Leningrad the hearing about it has extended instantly. Then in a city the chastooshka was born:
Eh, cucumbers yes pomidorchiki
Stalin Kirova has killed in a corridor.

The official response on the death of "mayor" was, of course, other. To the Taurian palace in which the coffin with a body of Kirov has been exposed, huge crowds leningradtsev lasted. (In a guard of honour among the other there was Stalin who has urgently arrived on funeral spetspoezdom). Many from saying goodbye have been rather shocked and frightened, as for Leningrad this death had especially tragical consequences. Immediately in a city mass arrests and executions have begun - in the first weeks 40 000 persons have been arrested. It has been declared that murder - a handwork of supporters of the former Leningrad head of G.Zinoveva. The death of Kirov was a signal to razvjazyvaniju in the country of the Big Terror.

Put in 1926 g the deputy to Leningrad young Kirov has replaced on this post objectionable to Stalin Zinoveva (one of leaders of inner-party opposition). Thereby Stalin wished to show that Leningrad not the second capital, and a regional city in the country northwest. However for 8 years of the stay in a post of the first secretary Leningrad obkoma, Kirov has turned from the party figure of the second hand to one of the major figures in VKP (), sovereign the owner of the city known for the traditions of disobedience to the authorities. It became here the person, "favourite", has rallied round itself the party organisation, has strengthened value of Leningrad as second city in the state. Thus, for Stalin Leningrad again began to pose threat of existence of the powerful centre of the political opposition, ready to slip out from under its control.

In January, 1934 XVII congress has opened. In the end of this congress happens absolutely unexpected: at secret elections of the Central Committee about a quarter of voting deputies - 292 from 1225 - without arranging, have given votes against Stalin. Results of voting have decided not to disclose. Officially declared, as. Stalin has received six voices contra - as much, how many and Kirov, i.e. by results of voting Kirov quite could become the chairman of Central Committee VKP
Besides, the person of Kirov, its democratic character and simplicity in dialogue, the vigour, quite good oratorical skills in any way did not correspond to image of the leader cultivated by Stalin. Unlike new head A.Zhdanova appointed to Leningrad, Kirov was rather widely-read person. He watched the modern literature, gave a lot of attention to the Leningrad culture - F.Lopuhovu in particular patronised, encouraging experiments of the choreographer, quite often visited theatres (even had a reputation baletomanom). Shostakovich's opera "Nose" was not pleasant to it, but it has not led to immediate prohibition of statement.