# Moisei Uritsky

> Soviet politician (1873-1918)

**Wikidata**: [Q366790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q366790)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisei_Uritsky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/moisei-uritsky

## Summary
Moisei Uritsky was a Soviet politician and revolutionary figure active during the early 20th century. Born in 1873, he played a significant role in the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR) following the October Revolution of 1917. Uritsky is best known for his leadership in the Cheka, the secret police of the early Soviet state, and his assassination in 1918, which marked a pivotal moment in the Russian Civil War.

## Biography
- **Born:** January 2, 1873 (Gregorian: January 14, 1873)
- **Nationality:** Russian Empire (later Soviet Russia)
- **Education:** [No specific institution listed in source material]
- **Known for:** Leadership in the Cheka and role in early Soviet governance
- **Employer(s):** Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR)
- **Field(s):** Politics, revolutionary activity

## Contributions
Moisei Uritsky was a key figure in the establishment of the Soviet state following the October Revolution. As a leader in the Cheka (the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage), he played a critical role in suppressing counter-revolutionary activities during the early years of the RSFSR. His work in the Cheka was instrumental in consolidating Bolshevik control during the Russian Civil War. Uritsky's assassination on August 30, 1918, by a Socialist Revolutionary, Leonid Kannegisser, triggered a wave of reprisals known as the Red Terror, significantly intensifying the conflict between the Bolsheviks and their opponents.

## FAQs
**What was Moisei Uritsky's role in the Soviet government?**
Moisei Uritsky was a prominent Soviet politician and a leading figure in the Cheka, the secret police organization established to combat counter-revolutionary forces. His leadership in the Cheka was crucial in maintaining Bolshevik control during the early years of the Soviet state.

**When and how did Moisei Uritsky die?**
Moisei Uritsky was assassinated on August 30, 1918, by Leonid Kannegisser, a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. His death marked a turning point in the Russian Civil War, leading to the escalation of the Red Terror.

**What was the impact of Uritsky's assassination?**
Uritsky's assassination led to a significant escalation in violence during the Russian Civil War. The Bolsheviks responded with the Red Terror, a campaign of mass arrests, executions, and repression targeting perceived enemies of the revolution.

## Why They Matter
Moisei Uritsky's role in the early Soviet government and the Cheka was pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War. His leadership in suppressing counter-revolutionary activities helped consolidate Bolshevik power, but his assassination also triggered a wave of violent reprisals that defined the early years of Soviet rule. Uritsky's life and death exemplify the brutal and tumultuous nature of the revolutionary period in Russia.

## Notable For
- Leadership in the Cheka, the early Soviet secret police.
- Key figure in the consolidation of Bolshevik power during the Russian Civil War.
- Assassination on August 30, 1918, which triggered the Red Terror.
- Influence on the early policies and structure of the Soviet state.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Moisei Uritsky was born on January 2, 1873 (Gregorian: January 14, 1873), in the Russian Empire. Little is known about his early life and education from the provided source material, but his later involvement in revolutionary politics suggests a background steeped in the ideological struggles of the time.

### Political Career and Role in the Soviet Government
Uritsky emerged as a significant figure in the aftermath of the October Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the Russian Provisional Government and established Bolshevik rule. He became a leading member of the Cheka, the secret police force created to combat counter-revolutionary activities and sabotage. The Cheka played a crucial role in maintaining Bolshevik control during the early years of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR), particularly during the Russian Civil War (1917–1922).

### Assassination and the Red Terror
On August 30, 1918, Moisei Uritsky was assassinated by Leonid Kannegisser, a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. This event had immediate and far-reaching consequences. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, responded with a campaign of mass repression known as the Red Terror. This period saw widespread arrests, executions, and violent suppression of political opponents, marking one of the most brutal phases of the Russian Civil War.

### Legacy and Impact
Uritsky's assassination and the subsequent Red Terror underscored the extreme measures taken by the Bolsheviks to secure their power. His role in the Cheka and his death highlight the intense political struggles and violence that characterized the early years of Soviet rule. Uritsky remains a controversial figure, symbolizing both the revolutionary zeal and the repressive tactics of the early Soviet state.

### Connections to Historical Events and Entities
Uritsky's life and career were closely tied to several key historical entities and events:
- **Russian Empire:** The state in which he was born and initially lived.
- **Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR):** The sovereign state he served in following the October Revolution.
- **Cheka:** The secret police organization he helped lead.
- **Red Terror:** The campaign of repression triggered by his assassination.

These connections illustrate Uritsky's central role in the transformative and violent period of Russian history that saw the transition from imperial rule to Soviet governance.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/news/news_245_18?lng=en)
2. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
3. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Historical Encyclopedia of Siberia
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. IdRef