Part 2/7:
Early Life of Genrikh Yagoda
Born on November 7, 1891, in Rybinsk, part of the Russian Empire, Yagoda grew up in a large Jewish family steeped in revolutionary fervor. His father, a skilled jeweler, engaged in underground activities, igniting in Yagoda a passion for activism at a young age. At just 15, he allied himself with anarcho-communists, advocating for a stateless and classless society.
Yagoda’s radical activities led to troubles with the authorities early on; he was arrested for carrying a forged passport and subsequently exiled. This experience, marked by the pervasive discrimination against Jews, greatly shaped his worldview and future political ambitions.