What was the role of the CHEKA during the revolution?

The CHEKA, or the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage, was established by the Bolsheviks shortly after the October Revolution in 1917. Its primary role was to act as the secret police, tasked with identifying and dealing with counter-revolutionaries and other perceived threats to the new Bolshevik regime. This included suppressing dissent, enforcing the government's policies, and conducting investigations and arrests of those considered enemies of the state, which often included political opponents and those suspected of being disloyal.

The establishment of the CHEKA was a crucial part of the Bolsheviks' strategy to maintain control during a time of significant upheaval and instability in Russia. The organization's activities were central to the consolidation of Bolshevik power and the establishment of a one-party state, highlighting the regime's reliance on coercive measures to ensure political stability and defend against both internal and external threats.