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Religion, Nationalism, and Alliance Politics, 1941-1945

Ervin Bell

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Published in Stalin S Holy War: Religion Nationalism And Alliance Politics 1941 1945

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The Second World War was a global conflict that involved all of the world's major powers, and it had a profound impact on the relationship between religion, nationalism, and alliance politics. In this essay, I will examine the role that religion and nationalism played in the formation of alliances during the war, and I will discuss the impact of the war on the relationship between religion and the state.

Stalin's Holy War: Religion, Nationalism, and Alliance Politics, 1941-1945

by Steven Merritt Miner

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Religion and the Formation of Alliances

During the Second World War, religion played a significant role in the formation of alliances. The most notable example of this is the alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union. Although the two countries had very different political systems, they were united by their common opposition to Nazi Germany.

In the United States, religious leaders such as Reinhold Niebuhr and Harry Emerson Fosdick argued that the war against Nazi Germany was a moral crusade. They believed that the United States had a duty to use its power to defend democracy and freedom, and they urged American churches to support the war effort.

In the Soviet Union, religious leaders also played a role in rallying support for the war effort. The Russian Orthodox Church, which had been suppressed by the Soviet government for decades, was allowed to resume its activities during the war. The Church's leaders called on Soviet citizens to defend their country against the Nazi invaders, and they offered their support to the government.

The alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union was not the only case in which religion played a role in the formation of alliances during the Second World War. For example, the United States also formed alliances with Great Britain, China, and France. In each case, religious leaders played a role in rallying support for the war effort.

The Impact of the War on Religion

The Second World War had a profound impact on the relationship between religion and the state. In many countries, the war led to a decline in religious observance. This was particularly true in Europe, where the war caused widespread destruction and suffering.

In some countries, the war also led to a decline in the power of religious institutions. For example, in France, the government confiscated church property and banned religious education in schools. In the Soviet Union, the government continued to suppress religious activity, and many religious leaders were arrested or executed.

However, the war also had some positive effects on the relationship between religion and the state. In the United States, the war led to a revival of religious faith. This was due in part to the fact that the war had brought people together and created a sense of community.

In the United Kingdom, the war also led to a closer relationship between the government and the Church of England. The Church played a significant role in providing support to the war effort, and the government recognized the Church's importance as a symbol of national unity.

The Second World War was a complex and transformative event that had a significant impact on the relationship between religion, nationalism, and alliance politics. In many countries, the war led to a decline in religious observance and the power of religious institutions. However, the war also had some positive effects on the relationship between religion and the state. In the United States, the war led to a revival of religious faith, and in the United Kingdom, it led to a closer relationship between the government and the Church of England.

The legacy of the Second World War continues to shape the relationship between religion, nationalism, and alliance politics today. In many countries, religion remains a powerful force in society, and it continues to play a role in the formation of alliances and the conduct of foreign policy.

Image Credits

Churchill and Stalin at the Tehran Conference, National World War II Museum
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Women working in a munitions factory during the Second World War, Imperial War Museum

Stalin's Holy War: Religion, Nationalism, and Alliance Politics, 1941-1945

by Steven Merritt Miner

5 out of 5