The First Moscow Trial, held in 1936, was a significant political event during the era of the Great Purge in the Soviet Union. It involved the prosecution of prominent members of the Bolshevik Party, including Leon Trotsky's supporters, who were accused of plotting against the government. The trial was characterized by forced confessions and was widely publicized to demonstrate the strength of Joseph Stalin's regime. The trial was part of a broader campaign to eliminate dissent and consolidate power within the Communist Party. It served as a warning to others who might oppose Stalin's leadership, showcasing the lengths to which the government would go to maintain control. The proceedings were heavily manipulated, and many defendants were executed following the trial.