Final answer:
Religion impacted nationalism in 19th and early 20th century Russia by promoting loyalty to the Tsar and shaping the sense of national identity. The Bolsheviks later targeted religion since it was seen as competing with socialism, but many Russians remained faithful. The intertwining of religion and state influenced both the social fabric and political developments of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion had a significant impact on nationalism in 19th and early 20th century Russia, affecting both political dynamics and social cohesion.
The Russian Orthodox Church played a crucial role by promoting obedience to the Tsar and reinforcing a sense of Russian national identity, particularly in opposition to Mongol rule where the church represented the national identity of Rus.
However, this relationship also meant that the rise of the Soviet Union and its state-sanctioned atheism led to a complex confrontation with religion; leaders like Lenin saw the church as a competitor with socialism and targeted it, but despite this, many Russians held onto their religious beliefs.
During the 19th century, the Russian Empire went through significant changes, including the emancipation of the serfs by Tsar Alexander II. These changes, along with social and political developments, set the stage for the revolutions to come in the 20th century.
Consequently, when the Bolsheviks came into power, their views towards religion led them to control and attempt to diminish the church's influence, which had become deeply intertwined with Russian nationalism.
Influential figures like Bertrand Russell and John Maynard Keynes likened Bolshevism to a religion in itself, indicating the profound role ideology and belief systems played during this period of Russian history.