Analysis of the anti-church policy of soviet authorities in rural areas in the 1920s (with materials of Yenisei province as an example)
Abstract
The article is based on materials of state archives of Krasnoyarsk region, most of which are made public for the fi rst time. It examines the stages in the anti-church policy of Soviet authorities in Yenisey Province in the 1920s at uyezd and volost’ levels. Two main stages are identifi ed, i.e. the campaign for the separation of the church from the state and campaign for the confi scation of church valuables. The article analyses the legislative acts and organisational structure of the anti-church policy, evaluates main results of the actions performed as well as the reaction of the local population. The article gives an in-depth reconstruction of events associated with the confi scation of church valuables in Krasnoyarsk District. It concludes that there was no massive repression against the church in the 1920s. However, the rural churches suff ered an enormous economic damage, while the subsistence of the clergy was made entirely the duty of church-goers. At the same time, ideological work to shape non-religious mindset commenced. This work did not come to be successful in this period. The records show the discontent of the rural population as to the policy of Soviet authorities and specifi c leaders. This was one of the reasons for the withdrawal from toughening the antichurch policy. The hardest period for the church was the 1930s due to the beginning of collectivisation. Despite certain regional features, the experience of conducting antichurch policy in Siberia in the studied period can be regarded as a refl ection of the history of Russia on the whole.
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