Removal of G. N. Kupriyanov

Removal of G. N. Kupriyanov, a longstanding leader of the party organization of the Karelo-Finnish SSR, reveals one of the aspects in the mechanism of the Soviet political system functioning in conditions of late Stalinism. It is stated that the Stalinist system successfully demonstrated its edifying function not only for Kupriyanov himself but for the entire Karelian political elite as well. This lesson acted as a reminder for the regional elite about its political and physical dependence on the personal will of the Soviet leader. According the author’s assessment, in conditions of the apogee of Stalin’s power, Kupriyanov’s resignation is reminiscent of the show trials over famous party leaders in 1930s. The author analyses the process of personal issues’ consideration and further decision making by the governing bodies of the Central Committee of the Communist Party - the Political bureau, the Organizational bureau, the Secretariat. The research is also focused on the study of the political process of criticism and repentance of the Communist party members at the plenum in Petrozavodsk in January of 1950.