This article is about stages of evolution of the security apparatus in Russia from the time of appointment until the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. The starting point is presentation of the positions of the classics of Marxism (Marx, Engels, Plekhanov, Lenin) about the place and role of the apparatus of oppression in the state of the proletariat during the liquidation of the resistance of the exploiting class. Then, were discussed circumstances of the establishment of the CZEKA, its structure and the place in the system of power during the fi rst period of its operation. Much attention was devoted to the description of the confl ict between the socialist-revolutionary fraction of communist party and the Bolsheviks within the Commission itself. Moreover, was presented the terror of CZEKA in the years 1918–1920, then, the causes and consequences of its liquidation in 1922. In the ending remarks, the Author focused on the presentation of institutions, that took over roles and competences of CZEKA – the People’s Commissariat of Internal Aff airs (NKVD) and the State Political Directorate (GPU). He also signaled the creation of counterintelligence, dealing with the protection of the Red Army (Smersh)
