Religion

Give two reasons Lenin disliked religion.

Opium of the masses; Church linked to Tsar; Independent power base

Give three religious minorities and locations.

Muslims Central Asia; Catholics Lithuania; Baptists Ukraine; Jews Ukraine and western Russia

Give three laws Lenin passed about religion.

Decree on Land 1917; Separation of Church and State 1918; Constitution 1922 freedom of conscience

Give three examples of terror against religion under Lenin.

Execution of clergy; Massacres of priests; Politburo executions 1918

How did persecution increase during Civil War?

Confiscated property; Anti-priest propaganda

How was early policy to Islam less confrontational?

Funded Muslim schools; Encouraged Party membership

How did religious policy change after Civil War?

Fewer executions; Anti-religious propaganda by Komsomol

What was the Living Church?

State-backed reformed Orthodox Church to weaken Patriarch Tikhon

Give two anti-Muslim policies of the 1920s.

Closed mosques; Attacked shrines; Campaign against veil

Give three anti-religious policies of Stalin.

Closed churches; Attacked Muslim leaders; League of the Militant Godless

Why did Stalin ally with the Church in WW2?

Boost patriotism; Support morale

Give two examples of improved treatment in WW2.

Reopened 414 churches; Reduced propaganda

What was Khrushchev’s approach to religion?

Renewed anti-religious campaigns from 1958

Give three anti-religious measures under Khrushchev.

Closed churches; Anti-religious propaganda; Closed monasteries; Restricted holy sites; Religious activists jailed

Give one way Khrushchev’s policy failed.

Growth of dissident defence of religion; Continued Church influence

Give two measures Brezhnev took towards religion.

Reduced propaganda; Institute for Scientific Atheism; Supported Islamic boards

What statistic shows failure of Brezhnev’s religious policy?

20% still religious 1960 and 1985