 Others regarded the collapse of effective governmental authority as sufficient justification for the creation of self-defense units.This sentiment was reinforced by horrific atrocities committed by anarchist bands against Mennonite communities.While "Selbstschutz" units had some success in protecting Mennonite communities from further atrocities and in providing time for the civil population to flee to areas held by White Russian forces, the abandonment of nonresistance proved to be highly divisive.