ON THE RELIGIOUS POLICY OF THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES ON THE PLACES IN THE 1920S (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN REGION OF AZERBAIJAN)

Abstract

The occupation of Azerbaijan by Bolshevik Russia in April 1920 was followed by severe repressive measures, including a large-scale offensive against religion and related spiritual forms of life under the pretext of "fighting hostile elements." This struggle was accompanied by unseen massacres of the population; as a part of the anti-religious policy, mosques were closed, religious feelings of believers were insulted, additional taxes were levied on them, and obstacles were placed before the rites. The presented article, based on the original sources, explores such issues as the religious policy of the Soviet authorities in Azerbaijan and the impact of this policy on the political situation in the North-West region of Azerbaijan.