Evolution of the soviet policy regarding the “sectarians” (Evangelical Christians and Baptists) in the early 1920's

This article analyzes the historical experience of the state policy regarding Evangelical Christians and Baptists (“sectarians”) during the period of establishment of the Soviet power. The author considers evolution of the government’s attitude to the studied denominations from “loyalty” and cooperation attempts to the strict state control and repressions. The aforesaid regulation concerned the issues of conscription privileges, religious propaganda in the Red Army (a strict ban of which was imposed), religious education of children. The Communist Party, being based on atheism, saw ideological rival in the “sectarians”, that’s why combating sectarianism was announced to be the essential task in the religious sphere.