The leader of the Soviet Union during the Great Purge was Joseph Stalin. This period, spanning from the late 1930s, was marked by widespread repression, including the execution of perceived political enemies and mass imprisonments. Stalin sought to consolidate his power by eliminating potential rivals within the Communist Party and broader society. The Great Purge resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and instilled a culture of fear throughout the Soviet Union. It also led to the reshaping of the government and military, as individuals were placed in positions of power based on loyalty to Stalin rather than competence.