The first secret police, called the Cheka, was established in December 1917 as a temporary institution to be abolished once Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks had consolidated their power. The original Cheka, headed by Feliks Dzerzhinskii, was empowered only to investigate “counterrevolutionary” crimes.

**The Russian Secret Police: The Cheka**

The correct answer is option B: Cheka. The Russian Secret Police, also known as the Cheka, was the first secret police organization established in Russia. Let's explore this answer in detail.

**1. The Cheka: Origins and Purpose**

- The Cheka was formed in December 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution, by order of Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the new Soviet government.
- Its official name was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage.
- The main purpose of the Cheka was to suppress counter-revolutionary activities and maintain the power and control of the Bolshevik government.
- It was given broad powers to investigate, arrest, and execute individuals suspected of opposing the Soviet regime.

**2. Activities and Methods**

- The Cheka engaged in a range of activities to maintain social order and suppress opposition. These activities included surveillance, espionage, arrests, interrogations, and executions.
- They targeted individuals and groups considered enemies of the state, such as political opponents, former tsarist officials, and members of rival political parties.
- The Cheka employed brutal methods, including torture and mass executions, to instill fear and control the population.
- Its activities extended beyond Russia's borders, as it sought to eliminate threats from foreign intelligence agencies and counter-revolutionary movements.

**3. Evolution and Successors**

- The Cheka underwent several name changes and reorganizations over time. In 1922, it was renamed the State Political Directorate (GPU), and in 1923, it became the Joint State Political Directorate (OGPU).
- The OGPU was later transformed into the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) in 1934.
- The NKVD played a significant role in Joseph Stalin's Great Purge during the 1930s, during which millions of people were imprisoned, exiled, or executed.
- Eventually, the NKVD was succeeded by the KGB (Committee for State Security) in 1954, which continued the tradition of secret police activities until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

**Conclusion**

The Russian Secret Police was referred to as the Cheka. It was the first secret police organization established in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution. The Cheka, later known as the GPU, OGPU, NKVD, and KGB, played a crucial role in maintaining the power of the Soviet government and suppressing opposition through various means, including surveillance, arrests, interrogations, and executions.