Two specific factors were taken into account: Stalin's elimination of political opposition through the trial, and the injection of fear, perpetuated by the blatant terrorism of the trial, in society. These factors effectively allowed Stalin to retain power, thus preserving his rule as despot of the USSR. The removal of key political figures reduced the chances of usurpation and focused the party's support on him alone, while the injection of fear prevented further uprisings against his rule. As Conquest asserts, the trial "publicly brought together all types of opposition, terror, sabotage, treason and espionage, and transformed them into branches of one great conspiracy" for the sole purpose of maintain autocratic power.