The OGPU, or Joint State Political Directorate, was a government agency in the Soviet Union responsible for state security and political repression. Established in 1923, it played a crucial role in enforcing the policies of the Communist Party and suppressing dissent. The OGPU was involved in surveillance, arrests, and the management of labor camps. In 1934, the OGPU was reorganized and became part of the NKVD, which continued its functions but expanded its scope. The agency was notorious for its use of terror and intimidation to maintain control, contributing to the climate of fear during the early years of the Soviet regime.