ABSTRACT
To oppose outside interference in the internal affairs of the USSR, and to secure the establishment of normal trading relationships, a 'Hands-Off-Russia Committee' had been formed in England in 1917. Of the numerous visits and deputations made by English men and women on Russian achievements in overcoming the fearful obstacles of starvation, illiteracy and lack of trained talent, three were especially noteworthy. A delegation from the British Labour Party and Trade Union Congress, visited Russia in 1920 under the chairmanship of Ben Turner. Zinoviev was the first chairman of the third International, or Comintern. An Anglo-Russian Conference was held and resulted in, amongst other things, the promise of a loan from Britain to the USSR. All religious teaching in Russia had already been forbidden by proclamation on 26 October 1917, which also called for the conversion of churches and monasteries into schools, clubs, storehouses or Anti-God museums for exhibiting sham relics and other curiosa.
