Was Stalin's Great Purge a result of paranoia or an actual plot against him?

Stalin's Great Purge was a period of political repression in the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938. During this time, Stalin and his regime carried out a series of executions, imprisonments, and forced labor sentences against supposed political enemies.

Some historians argue that the Great Purge was a result of Stalin's paranoia and desire for absolute power. Others believe that it was a real plot against him by his political enemies, both real and imagined. The truth likely lies somewhere in between.

Stalin had a history of being paranoid and distrustful of those around him, and his rule was characterized by a ruthless and authoritarian approach to governance. However, it is also true that there were real threats to Stalin's power, including opposition from within the Communist Party and foreign espionage.

Regardless of the reasons behind it, the Great Purge had devastating consequences for the Soviet Union. Estimates of the number of people executed or imprisoned during this time vary widely, but it is believed that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people were affected.