Hungarian National Defence Association
Encyclopedia
The Hungarian National Defence Association ( or ) was an early fascist movement active in Hungary
. The structure of the group was largely paramilitary
and as such separate from its leader's later political initiatives.
MOVE grew out of the 'right radicals' phenomenon i.e. those who strongly opposed the Hungarian Soviet Republic
but who felt that the mainstream conservatives
were not strong enough to cope with the shift to communism. An extreme group of these radicals within the army formed around Gyula Gömbös
in Szeged
and in 1919 solidified as MOVE (or the Szeged Fascists) as they were more commonly known. Already self identifying as 'national socialists' in 1919, the group called for changes in land ownership, a more Christian
economic policy against the capitalism
which they identified as Jewish and a foreign policy based on revanchism
. The group was led by the likes of László Endre
and Gyula Gömbös
, although it was forced underground in 1937 when rumours circulated that it was planning a coup.
When Miklós Horthy
ousted the communists MOVE was largely turned over to him, although it continued to develop along fascist lines, offering support for Benito Mussolini
and establishing contacts with Adolf Hitler
and Erich Ludendorff
in Germany
. Under Horthy MOVE enjoyed a final period of influence as all existing Nazi and rightist paramilitary groups were merged into it.
In 1945, MOVE was banned under decree 529/1945, ME regulation, §3.
.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. The structure of the group was largely paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
and as such separate from its leader's later political initiatives.
MOVE grew out of the 'right radicals' phenomenon i.e. those who strongly opposed the Hungarian Soviet Republic
Hungarian Soviet Republic
The Hungarian Soviet Republic or Soviet Republic of Hungary was a short-lived Communist state established in Hungary in the aftermath of World War I....
but who felt that the mainstream conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
were not strong enough to cope with the shift to communism. An extreme group of these radicals within the army formed around Gyula Gömbös
Gyula Gömbös
Gyula Gömbös de Jákfa was the conservative prime minister of Hungary from 1932 to 1936.-Background:Gömbös was born in the Tolna County village of Murga, Hungary, which had a mixed Hungarian and ethnic German population. His father was the village schoolmaster. The family belonged to the ...
in Szeged
Szeged
' is the third largest city of Hungary, the largest city and regional centre of the Southern Great Plain and the county town of Csongrád county. The University of Szeged is one of the most distinguished universities in Hungary....
and in 1919 solidified as MOVE (or the Szeged Fascists) as they were more commonly known. Already self identifying as 'national socialists' in 1919, the group called for changes in land ownership, a more Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
economic policy against the capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
which they identified as Jewish and a foreign policy based on revanchism
Revanchism
Revanchism is a term used since the 1870s to describe a political manifestation of the will to reverse territorial losses incurred by a country, often following a war or social movement. Revanchism draws its strength from patriotic and retributionist thought and is often motivated by economic or...
. The group was led by the likes of László Endre
László Endre
László Endre was a Hungarian right-wing politician and collaborator with the Nazis during the Second World War....
and Gyula Gömbös
Gyula Gömbös
Gyula Gömbös de Jákfa was the conservative prime minister of Hungary from 1932 to 1936.-Background:Gömbös was born in the Tolna County village of Murga, Hungary, which had a mixed Hungarian and ethnic German population. His father was the village schoolmaster. The family belonged to the ...
, although it was forced underground in 1937 when rumours circulated that it was planning a coup.
When Miklós Horthy
Miklós Horthy
Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya was the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary during the interwar years and throughout most of World War II, serving from 1 March 1920 to 15 October 1944. Horthy was styled "His Serene Highness the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary" .Admiral Horthy was an officer of the...
ousted the communists MOVE was largely turned over to him, although it continued to develop along fascist lines, offering support for Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
and establishing contacts with Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and Erich Ludendorff
Erich Ludendorff
Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Ludendorff was a German general, victor of Liège and of the Battle of Tannenberg...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Under Horthy MOVE enjoyed a final period of influence as all existing Nazi and rightist paramilitary groups were merged into it.
In 1945, MOVE was banned under decree 529/1945, ME regulation, §3.
Resurgence
In the summer of 2007 a group calling itself the "Hungarian National Defence Association" was formed with similar goals to the original. The association soon split in half with the paramilitary branch operating independently. The paramilitary branch is known as "Véderő" for short. It was led by Tamás EszesTamás Eszes (politician)
Tamás Eszes was a Hungarian politician. He was the leader of the far right paramilitary group Véderő.In April 2011 Eszes attempted to lead a training camp conducted by Véderő. He was arrested and led away by police. Eszes, a karate instructor, claimed the camp was intended to improve the physical...
.