GenZedong

   Considering first the crushing of those who oppose the order of government or hinder its development, we find the methods of coercion varying from leniency and toleration in the beginning of the Revolution, through the frightful years of the Cheka (extraordinary commission to combat speculation and counter-revolution in the early days) reign, to the more severe activities of the OGPU in recent times. Shortly after the October Revolution in May, 1918, all those persons held for political crimes were set free by an act of general amnesty. The results of this liberality were rather serious for the rule of the proletariat, since those released, bitterly determined to overthrow the new and not too firmly seated government, returned to the fight with vigor. Among these was the renowned General Krasnow who organized the White Guard Cossacks and caused no end of trouble to the Soviets.
   Such a policy of clemency was bound to end if the Soviet government continued to live. When next they had political prisoners in hand there was a different tale to tell. Whoever of them saw the inside of a prison or place of detention were not released to run back to the fight. We find Stalin defending later severe measures toward these prisoners in an interview with Ludwig in 1932.^1^ “Soon it transpired that such leniency was only undermining the strength of the authority of the Soviets. We committed a mistake in showing such leniency toward the enemies of the working class. If we repeated this mistake any further, we would have committed a crime toward the working class. We would have betrayed its interest. And this became perfectly clear very soon. It became very sure that the greater our leniency toward our enemies, the greater their resistance.”