Cheka (All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage)

The Cheka was the Soviet Union's secret police established in 1917 during the Russian Revolution. Its full name translates to the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage. Tasked with rooting out enemies of the state, it played a crucial role in suppressing opposition and maintaining the Bolshevik regime's power. Known for its brutal methods, the Cheka used arrests, interrogations, and executions to eliminate perceived threats, contributing significantly to the Red Terror, which sought to instill fear and consolidate control during the civil unrest following the revolution. Its legacy impacted the evolution of state security agencies in the USSR.