Civil rights Flashcards
Did poorer Russians have less rights
Yes, but even ruling elite could lose them through being purged
Personal freedoms
-Both Tsars/communists controlled through legal system/police/army/propaganda/censorship
-Free will as long as didn’t conflict with interests of autocracy/totalitarian rule
-More liberal climate often short-lived/countered by repressive measures
Political freedoms
-Sometimes allowed to join political parties/trade-unions/vote but NEVER universal/consistently granted/often ended with repressive measures
-ONLY EXCEPTION= provisional gov time as more tolerant approach to political activism
Religious freedoms under both Tsars/communists
-Under state control
-Never banned but very difficult to peacefully practise
-Not until 1958 that it was officially denounced
Religious freedoms under Tsars
Orthodox church;
-Seen as useful form of social control
-Many clergy supported autocracy as relied on gov financially (even when Pobedonostsev tightened control over them)
Religious freedoms under Lenin (communists)
-Tightened control as Orthodox church tried to bring back patriarchy= Decree on separation of Church from state and school from church= Withdrawal of state subsides/prevented religions from possessing property
-Anti-religious pressure groups encouraged (e.g 1925 League of Militant Godless)
-Only concession= appointment of church spokesperson BUT only because preached conciliation between state/church
Religious freedoms under Stalin (communists)
Orthodox:
-Continued to close churches (e.g 1930-8= 216 closed)
-Many clergy purged= -60%
Minority religious groups:
-Targeted in WW2 as thought to be collaborating with enemy
-e.g Judaism banned/institutions closed
Religious freedoms under Krushchev (communists)
-1961 introduced new “moral code” to replace bible
-1958 launched official anti-religious campaign= all religious activity under scrutiny
Minority groups= Prominent Jewish technical specialists executed for anti-communist activities
