대숙청, or the "Great Purge," refers to a campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. Initiated by Joseph Stalin, it aimed to eliminate perceived threats to his power, including party members, military leaders, and ordinary citizens. This period was marked by widespread arrests, show trials, and executions. The Great Purge resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the imprisonment of millions in labor camps known as Gulag. It significantly impacted Soviet society and governance, instilling fear and consolidating Stalin's control over the Communist Party and the country.