The word "OGPU" is a Russian initialism for "Unified State Political Directorate", a Soviet law enforcement agency established in 1922. The IPA phonetic transcription for "OGPU" is /ˈoʊ (or ɒ) ɡə puː/. Strictly speaking, initialisms do not follow the usual rules of spelling and pronunciation, as they are formed by the first letters of a phrase, rather than by individual sound units. As such, the spelling and pronunciation of initialisms are determined by convention or context.
OGPU, acronym for "Unified State Political Administration" in Russian, refers to a former Soviet secret police organization that operated from 1922 to 1934. The term "OGPU" is an abbreviation of Obyedinyonnoye Gosudarstvennoye Politicheskoye Upravleniye, meaning "unified state political directorate." The OGPU was preceded by the Cheka and was ultimately reorganized into the much-feared NKVD.
Initially established to combat counterrevolutionary activities and maintain state security, the OGPU was primarily responsible for internal security and intelligence operations within the Soviet Union during the early years of the Soviet regime. It played a significant role in suppressing opposition factions, conducting investigations, executing police functions, and protecting the political system from perceived threats.
Under the OGPU's command, a vast network of informants and agents was developed, infiltrating various sectors of society. Known for its ruthlessness, the organization employed tactics such as surveillance, interrogation, and imprisonment to stifle dissent and maintain control. The OGPU played a key role in carrying out mass purges, forced labor camps, and political executions, contributing to the overall repressive apparatus of the Soviet regime.
In 1934, the OGPU was restructured and merged with the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD), resulting in the creation of a more comprehensive and powerful security organization. The OGPU's successor, the NKVD, continued to carry out similar duties and played a prominent role in the Great Purge of the late 1930s.
The word "OGPU" stands for "Ob'edinennoye gosudarstvennoye politicheskoye upravlenie", which translates to "Unified State Political Administration". It was a Soviet secret police agency that existed from 1923 to 1934. The etymology of the acronym OGPU comes from the Russian language.