But the extent and duration would be far different without Joe's 'guiding hand'
Pretty much, yeah. There’s probably gonna be purges regardless of who you put in charge of the Soviet Union in the 30’s. I’m fact, IATL, the purge will probably be at least partially in response to Stalin’s death. But there will be a difference in how extensive, how long, and how bloody those purges are. I’m not really anymore a follower of the Great Man Theory of History then most other modern history buffs (or at least, I think most modern history buffs aren’t followers of the Great Man Theory) but I feel people who try to argue that things would be
exactly the same under every other leader are falling victim to the same brand of historical determinism which, ironically, denies human agency just as much as the Great Man Theory, if not moreso. The fact is that whose in charge
does matter and will affect the situation.
And the political consequence desired, of destroying the potential for political centre in the army, will require purges of similar effect on the personnel of the officer nomenklatura.
I just don’t see there being any political center in the army. The Red Army officer corps never showed that sort of political independence even before they got gutted by the purges. The total subordination of Army to matters of policy (and therefore, the Communist Party) was laid down in black-and-white by Frunze in the 20’s and adhered too assiduously.
And even if we accept that the army has to be purged, there’s nothing saying that, for example, the industrial managers and engineers have too be.
Please say Beria!
Hasn’t entered the national stage yet. He’s still a regional party member and local NKVD chief down in Georgia in ‘36.