The first show trial 1936
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The trial of Kamenev, Zinoviev and 14 others in August 1936, known as the Trial of the Sixteen, was a show trial staged by Stalin to consolidate his power. The defendants, accused of assassinating Kirov and plotting against Stalin with Trotsky, admitted to the absurd charges against them and were all found guilty of treason and executed, despite one being already imprisoned. The trial further cemented Stalin's control and turned public opinion against perceived enemies of the state.
The first show trial 1936
- 1. The First Show Trial: The trial of the Sixteen Kamenev, Zinoviev and 14 others are put on trial for killing Kirov and attempting to put Trotsky in charge of the party They were accused of organising a terrorist group called the United Trotskyite-Zinovievite centre that was plotting against Stalin The trial lasts between 19-24 August 1936 and is stage managed with spectators being members of the NKVD and the media reporting that the accused were traitors/terrorists Defendants were dressed in old clothes and there was 3 judges overseeing the case
- 2. Defendants freely admitted to the charges against them One even admitted killing Kirov even though he was already in prison! Kamenev even admitted For 10 years I waged a struggle against the party and Stalin personally Vyshinsky demanded the death penalty for defendants and got his wish as all were executed for treason The newspapers applauded the executions and public opinion largely supported the trial. Some demanded further trials of counter-revolutionaries. The First Show Trial: The trial of the Sixteen