The Secret Police The Soviet Union relied on the NKVD, its secret police, to maintain power through fear and force during the Cold War. The NKVD conducted mass arrests, deportations, and executions to crush opposition and dissent. They used intimidation, torture, and murder to eliminate perceived threats, both at home and abroad. The NKVD's brutal tactics and extensive surveillance created a climate of fear, ensuring the Communist Party's authority remained unchallenged. This repressive system played a pivotal role in solidifying Soviet power for many years, despite internal and external pressures.[29]
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