Scott Kenworthy1; 1 Miami University, United States
Discussion
This paper is a re-examination of why the Soviets decided suddenly to abandon the trial of Tikhon and instead release him. It explores the multiple factors at play, such as popular internal opposition and a shift in Party politics as Stalin marginalized Trotsky from church policy. Of decisive importance, however, was the international pressure and opposition, which came at first in response to the trial and execution of Roman Catholic clergy. Based on all available evidence, I will demonstrated how the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appeal came at a key moment, after which the Politburo decided to postpone the trial—and after the “Curzon ultimatum” they abandoned the ideal of the trial altogether.