To what extent was terror the enabling factor for Stalin's control over the Party in the years 1928-53?

In approaching an essay question like this you need to consider the time span in question. After this, plan the question and separate your answer into three key factors. One of the three key factors in your answer is indicated in the question as terror. Two other examples of factors that contributed to Stalin's control is the elimination of his political opponents and also the way he centralized his power within the Politburo. After separating your factors into three, start thinking about the evidence you will use to support this point that will lead to the analysis part of the paragraph. Terror was a key factor in how Stalin exercised control over the Party as he used it as a tool to remove his political opponents and also increasingly centralise the power in the Politburo, to himself. The purges of the 30's were perhaps the most effective instrument to control for Stalin as violent attacks directly to Party members would help him to enforce unpopular policies that he had put forward; e.g. the pace of the First Five Year Plan. Accusations towards party members would often result in show trials which would denunciation members such as right wing politicians Bukharin and Rykov in 1938, and thus strengthen Stalin's personal hold over the Party. A direct impact this terror tactic had on the Party was that it intimidated possible political oppositions and prevented them from criticising Stalin's decisions, leading to a firmer hold over the Party. Terror was the ultimate factor that enabled this as purges and disappearances of prominent political figures demanded conformity and allegiance, not to the Party, but to Stalin himself. Therefore, through intimidation tactics and violent attacks against opponents, Stalin was able to exercise his personal power which was effective in him enforcing his policies without interference from Party members.