In 1924 this Russian leader died, & Stalin began purging rivals to take over the top spot
Most public attention was focused on the purge of the 
leadership of the ... As the purges began, the government (through the NKVD) 
shot Bolshevik ... Stalin loyalist, but Stalin may have viewed him as a potential 
rival because of... [DOC] [TLE] Nikita Khrushchev - Wikipedia [PAR] Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was a politician who led the Soviet Union during 
part of the ...