Cheka

/ˈtʃɛkə/ noun

Definition

The Soviet secret police force that operated during the Russian Revolution and early Soviet period.

Etymology

Russian acronym from 'Chrezvy­chay­naya Komis­siya' (Extraordinary Commission). It was established in 1917 and became infamous as the precursor to the KGB.

Kelly Says

The Cheka was one of history's most feared organizations—they invented modern secret police tactics that other countries would unfortunately copy, making them a crucial but dark chapter in 20th-century history.

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