How many people did the CHEKA estimate to have killed?

The CHEKA, which was the Soviet secret police established after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, played a crucial role in suppressing counter-revolutionary activity and maintaining the power of the Bolsheviks. The figure of 200,000 deaths attributed to the actions of the CHEKA comes from estimates of the number of people executed or killed during the Red Terror from 1918 to 1922. This widespread campaign aimed to eliminate political opposition and instill fear among the populace in order to secure the revolution.

This number reflects the scale of violence used by the Bolsheviks to consolidate their rule, as the CHEKA operated without much oversight and often engaged in extrajudicial killings. The high estimate correlates with the historical context of a brutal civil war and the Bolsheviks' desire to eliminate any perceived threats to their authority, which explains why this figure is more substantial than those provided in the other options. The significant resources allocated to the CHEKA and the intensity of their efforts at repression during this tumultuous period underscore the consequences of their mandate, leading to a large number of deaths during their operations.