Historical Events tagged with "purge"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Failed Coup Attempt Against Turkish Government

July 15th, 2016 8 years ago

Factions within the Turkish Armed Forces staged a coup aiming to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The coup attempt involved soldiers taking control of key locations including the Bosphorus Bridge and various media outlets. As night fell, fierce clashes erupted, resulting in significant casualties. President Erdoğan, who was on vacation at the time, addressed the nation via a video call and called for public resistance against the coup plotters. The coup ultimately failed, leading to widespread arrests and purges within the military and judiciary.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Purge of Croatian Spring Leaders Begins

December 1st, 1971 53 years ago

At the meeting of the League of Communists at the Karađorđevo estate, Yugoslav political leaders initiated a campaign against the Croatian Spring leaders. This marked a crucial moment in which the central government aimed to suppress the rising nationalist sentiments in Croatia, leading to the removal of key figures and the reinforcement of a more centralized Yugoslav rule.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Cultural Revolution Targets Intellectuals and Imperialists

August 1st, 1966 58 years ago

The Chinese Communist Party officially launched the Cultural Revolution, focusing on eliminating perceived bourgeois influences, including intellectuals and those with imperialist beliefs. This initiative sought to reinforce Mao Zedong's vision of socialism by instigating mass mobilization among the youth, who formed Red Guards to challenge traditional authority and propagate revolutionary ideals across China. The movement began with fervor in urban centers, particularly Beijing, aiming to cleanse society of capitalist and elitist elements that were considered detrimental to the Communist ideology.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

May 16 Notice Launches Cultural Revolution

May 16th, 1966 58 years ago

The Chinese Communist Party published the 'May 16 Notice', which signaled the onset of the Cultural Revolution, a decade-long sociopolitical upheaval led by Mao Zedong. This notice called for a mass mobilization to battle perceived bourgeois elements within the Party and society. The announcement emphasized the need to uphold socialist ideals and encouraged the youth to participate actively in this revolutionary movement. This marked a pivotal moment in Chinese history, leading to widespread persecution, ideological purges, and significant social changes.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Assassination of Indonesian Army Generals

September 30th, 1965 59 years ago

In 1965, six Indonesian Army generals were assassinated by the September 30 Movement, a group that aimed to seize power. The killings were blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), which led to widespread violence against suspected leftists. This event became a pivotal moment in Indonesia's political history, resulting in a violent anti-communist purge throughout the country.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Bodo League Massacre of Suspected Communists

June 28th, 1950 74 years ago

Following the onset of the Korean War, North Korean forces advanced into South Korea, leading the South Korean government to purge suspected communist sympathizers. Between 60,000 to 200,000 individuals were executed by the South Korean government during this tumultuous period. The Bodo League, established to control suspected leftist elements, became a tool for mass executions as fears of communism surged. The operations primarily occurred in rural areas and were fueled by the urgent need to stabilize the country amidst the conflict.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

The Purge of Political Rivals by Nazis

July 2nd, 1934 90 years ago

In a campaign lasting three days, Adolf Hitler orchestrated a series of politically motivated murders known as the Night of the Long Knives. Targeting leaders of the SA and other perceived threats, the operation was marked by the execution of Ernst Röhm, the SA leader, among others, solidifying Hitler's control over Germany and the Nazi Party. Secretive and ruthless, the purges took place in various locations across the country, reflecting a brutal assertion of power amid rising tensions within the Nazi ranks.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Chiang Kai-shek's Anti-Communist Purge

March 20th, 1926 98 years ago

In Guangzhou, Chiang Kai-shek undertook a significant purge of suspected communist elements within the National Revolutionary Army. This initiative, driven by internal fears of communist influence, involved the dismissal and arrest of numerous officers believed to harbor communist sympathies. The actions resulted in heightened tensions within the military ranks and a visible split between the Nationalists and the Communist Party of China, ultimately affecting the trajectory of the Chinese Civil War.

Continue Reading