Designed and developed a ruthless, merciless, brutal system of eliminating political dissidents. Employed imprisonment, torture and murder without hesitation, both to set an example and as a precautionary measure. Sanctioned assassinations abroad as well as planted the seeds of intelligence networks throughout Europe and within the United States.

Setup the first Soviet concentration camps in Solovetsky Island in 1922 and also served as the first Director of Transportation for the Soviet Union, overseeing the reorganization of the Russian Railway system.

In 1924, was named Director of the Soviet Economics Council. Died on July 20, 1926, reportedly by natural causes, although speculation exists that he suffered a fatal stroke while engaged in an argument with Josef Stalin.