The early 30s were the difficult years of industrialization and collectivization, when many critics of the USSR abroad were predicting failure. Carrying out the Great Purges at that point would have probably resulted in Stalin's removal.Any way Stalin does the purge earlier?
The years 1936-38 were actually "ideal" because:
1. Hitler had come to power in 1933, thus many were able to justify the purges with "even if innocent people die, we need to ensure there's no treason whatsoever when Hitler attacks us."
2. The turmoil of the early 30s had been overcome.
3. There was actually an increased "openness" in parts of Soviet society after 1934, e.g. the new constitution, which gave the impression that the Soviet government was emphasizing the unity of the whole people for domestic construction and against foreign threats now that it argued socialism was built and exploiting classes abolished.
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