# Genrikh Yagoda > Soviet secret police official (1891–1938) **Wikidata**: [Q141869](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q141869) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genrikh_Yagoda) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/genrikh-yagoda ## Summary Genrikh Yagoda was a Soviet secret police official who played a significant role in the early Soviet Union's security apparatus. Born in 1891, he became a key figure in the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs) and was involved in major political purges during the 1930s. His career ended abruptly in 1938 when he was executed during Stalin's Great Purge. ## Biography - **Born:** November 7, 1891 (or 1891, exact date uncertain) - **Nationality:** Soviet (formerly Russian Empire) - **Education:** Not specified in source material - **Known for:** Leading the Soviet secret police (NKVD) and overseeing political repression - **Employer(s):** NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs), Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union - **Field(s):** Secret police, state security, political repression ## Contributions Genrikh Yagoda was instrumental in shaping the Soviet Union's security and intelligence infrastructure during the 1930s. As head of the NKVD, he oversaw the implementation of Stalin's policies, including the Great Purge, which targeted political opponents and perceived enemies of the state. His leadership in the NKVD contributed to the consolidation of Soviet power through mass arrests, executions, and surveillance. Yagoda also played a role in the construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal, a forced labor project that resulted in significant loss of life. ## FAQs **What role did Genrikh Yagoda play in the Soviet Union?** Genrikh Yagoda was a high-ranking official in the NKVD, the Soviet secret police, and was responsible for enforcing Stalin's policies, including political purges and repression. **When and how did Genrikh Yagoda die?** Genrikh Yagoda was executed on March 15, 1938 (or May 15, 1938, sources vary), as part of Stalin's Great Purge, which targeted many of his own associates. **What awards or recognition did Genrikh Yagoda receive?** Yagoda was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for his service to the Soviet state. **What was Genrikh Yagoda's connection to the Central Committee of the Communist Party?** Yagoda was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which was the executive leadership body of the party. **What was the significance of the White Sea–Baltic Canal project under Yagoda's leadership?** The White Sea–Baltic Canal was a major infrastructure project built using forced labor from the Gulag system, showcasing the Soviet Union's use of repression for economic development. ## Why They Matter Genrikh Yagoda's leadership in the NKVD was pivotal in establishing the Soviet Union's repressive security apparatus, which became a defining feature of Stalin's regime. His role in the Great Purge and other political campaigns shaped the Soviet state's approach to internal security and dissent. Yagoda's career and eventual execution also highlight the instability and brutality of Stalinist governance, where even high-ranking officials were not immune to persecution. ## Notable For - Serving as the head of the NKVD (Soviet secret police) during the 1930s. - Overseeing the Great Purge, a period of mass political repression in the Soviet Union. - Being awarded the Order of Lenin, the highest Soviet decoration. - Playing a key role in the construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal using forced labor. - Being a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. - His execution in 1938 as part of Stalin's purges. ## Body ### Early Life and Career Genrikh Yagoda was born on November 7, 1891, in the Russian Empire. He rose through the ranks of the Soviet security apparatus, becoming a prominent figure in the NKVD, the secret police organization responsible for state security and political repression. ### Leadership in the NKVD Yagoda's tenure as head of the NKVD was marked by the implementation of Stalin's policies, including the Great Purge, which targeted political opponents, intellectuals, and perceived enemies of the state. Under his leadership, the NKVD carried out mass arrests, executions, and surveillance, contributing to the consolidation of Soviet power. ### Role in the Great Purge The Great Purge, also known as the Great Terror, was a campaign of political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. Yagoda played a central role in this campaign, overseeing the arrest and execution of thousands of individuals deemed threats to the Soviet regime. ### Construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal Yagoda was involved in the construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal, a major infrastructure project built using forced labor from the Gulag system. The canal was completed in 1933 and was touted as a success of Soviet economic planning, despite the significant human cost. ### Awards and Recognition For his service to the Soviet state, Yagoda was awarded several high honors, including the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. These awards reflected his contributions to the Soviet security apparatus and the implementation of state policies. ### Membership in the Central Committee Yagoda was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the executive leadership body of the party. This position underscored his influence and importance within the Soviet political hierarchy. ### Execution and Legacy Yagoda's career ended abruptly in 1938 when he was executed as part of Stalin's Great Purge. His execution highlighted the instability and brutality of Stalinist governance, where even high-ranking officials were not immune to persecution. Yagoda's legacy is closely tied to the repressive policies of the Soviet state and the use of political violence to maintain control. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Catalog of the German National Library 4. International Standard Name Identifier 5. Who led the NKVD 6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 10. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe) 11. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/hftwz7r1159grbf) 12. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands