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Major tenants of communism, articulated by Karl Marx
The Communist Party would rule and lead in the name of the people because, according to Marx, the people were ignorant of Marxist theory and method. -
Russian Revolution
Communism came to power during this event. -
Assassination of Russian tsar
The Bolsheviks assassinated the tsar and his family and many others who opposed them. -
Communist International creation
Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin began the Communist International (known as the Comintern) to coordinate communist revolutions across the world, -
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League of Godless harassed churchgoers and priests
1925 the party organised the League of the Godless to harass and persecute churchgoers. By 1929, priests were not considered workers and, therefore, were taxed at exorbitant rates, were given no healthcare provisions or social security, and were ineligible to join collective farms. -
Joseph Stalin gained control of Communist Party
Joseph Stalin seized control of the Communist Party in 1927 and religious freedom became even more limited. -
Law on Religious Associations
In 1929, the Law on Religious Associations was proclaimed, under which people were allowed to worship in the few churches that remained and congregations had to register with the government -
Pope Pius XI response to communism
Pope Pius XI, in direct response to the increasing and severe persecution of Christians in Russia, published his encyclical Divini Redemptoris, which condemned communism and called for a worldwide day of prayer for the sufferings of the Christians in Russia