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Karl Marx calls for a workers' revolution that would destroy capitalism and the private ownership of property. -
Communism comes to power in Russia. Although parties already existed Britain and Germany, this was when the system gained significant power. -
The Bolsheviks assassinate the Tsar, his family, and many others that opposed them. The communist party makes the move to confiscate all church land, and disperse priests, nuns, and brothers. -
Soviet Leader Vladimir Lenin begins the communist international to coordinate communist revolutions across the world. -
The communist party organised the League of the Godless to harass and persecute churchgoers. -
Priests are no longer considered workers and are taxed at very high rates, given no healthcare or social security provisions, and are ineligible to join collective farms. -
Joseph Stalin seizes control over the party and religious freedoms are limited further.
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People are allowed to worship in the few churches that remain, but the congregations must be registered with the government.
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In response to the increasing persecution of Christians in Russia, Pope Pius publishes his encyclical, 'Divina Redemptoris'. In this, he condemned communism and called for a worldwide day of prayer for the sufferings of Christians in Russia.
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By 1939, only 500 of the 50,000 churches, remain open.
