This source investigates the origins of Soviet nationality policies, which the author traces to Marxist theorists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 

Furthermore, the author connects these theorists with their influence upon the Soviet government, particularly Stalin, who had a vested interest in the question of nationality. 

As seen in the "Photograph of the leaders of the All-Ukrainian Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith", initial Soviet nationality policies demonstrated lenience, a far cry from later iterations.

As a result, this source will prove to be a valuable resource when investigating the roots of later Soviet nationality policies.

This source argues that Soviet nationality policies were not unique, and share many characteristics with those of several multinational empires throughout history. 

A prime example of this can be seen in the "Photographs of Members of the Catholic Committee for the Defense of Believers’ Rights in Lithuania", as this group held both religious and specific national interests contrary to those of the wider Union.

Furthermore, this article provides summaries of early Soviet nationality policies and how these defined the lives and experiences of groups throughout the Union. 

The argument and contents of this article set the stage for nationality policies witnessed in the later Soviet Union, as many of these administrative decisions relied on their predecessors.