Former Soviet Secret Police Crossword Clue
What is the former Soviet Secret Police crossword clue?
Answer:
The term “former Soviet Secret Police” typically refers to a variety of historical organizations that were responsible for state security, intelligence, and law enforcement in the Soviet Union. A common answer for a crossword clue involving this subject is:
- KGB: The Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti was the main security agency for the Soviet Union from 1954 until its collapse in 1991. The KGB was responsible for intelligence, counter-intelligence, and internal security.
In some crossword puzzles, other possible answers might include:
-
NKVD: The People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs operated from 1934 to 1946 and was known for its political repression and large-scale purges. It also handled internal affairs and law enforcement.
-
Cheka: Established in 1917, the Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage was the first Soviet state security organization. It dealt with counter-revolutionary activities and was known for its brutal methods.
Each of these organizations played significant roles at different times in the Soviet Union’s history. Depending on the crossword puzzle, these terms may be used to fill in the clue “former Soviet Secret Police.”
Here is a brief overview of the timeline for these organizations to illustrate how they evolved over time:
| Organization | Time Period | Function/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cheka | 1917 - 1922 | Initial secret police that executed political tasks. |
| NKVD | 1934 - 1946 (originally from 1917 as a different function) | Political repression, purges, law enforcement. |
| KGB | 1954 - 1991 | State security, intelligence, counter-intelligence. |
Final Answer:
For the crossword clue “former Soviet Secret Police,” the answers could be KGB, NKVD, or Cheka depending on the specific historical context or number of letters required by the crossword.