Question

What motivated Joseph Stalin to persecute writers, scholars, and scientists?

Answer 1

Stalin feared they might spread ideas that went against the Soviet government.

Answer 2

During Stalin's regime, a campaign of political repression was implemented. It involved an enormous persecution and purge of writers, scholars, scientists, landlords, government officials, counter-revolutionaries and anyone who opposed Stalin's rule or the Communist Party. This persecution was meant to remove dissenters and consolidate the authority of Stalin. It was also a way to eliminate all ideologies incompatible with Communism from public discourse.