Russian Fascist Party
Encyclopedia
The Russian Fascist Party (RFP) , sometimes called the All-Russian Fascist Party, was a minor Russia
n emigre movement that was based in Manchukuo
during the 1930s and 1940s.
Fascism
had existed amongst the Manchurian Russians since the October Revolution
and had been promoted by the minor Russian Fascist Organisation amongst others. A secret convention of the various groups was held, leading to the foundation of the RFP under the presidency of Major General Vladimir Dmitrievich Kozmin. Konstantin Rodzaevsky
became Secretary General of the party's central committee on May 26, 1931, becoming the de facto leader of the party. Adopting the slogan "God, Nation, Labour" and publishing the journal Natsiya, the party called for Italian-style fascism
to take advantage of the shaky position of the Bolshevik
leaders in the face of both external and internal opposition.
By cooperating with Japan
, the RFP became the most influential émigré group in Manchukuo
, setting up a party school in Harbin
in 1932. Rodzaevsky also assisted the Imperial Japanese Army
in the formation of the Asano Detactment, the all ethnic Russian special forces
in the Kwantung Army, organized for carrying out sabotage against Soviet forces in case of any Japanese invasion of Siberia
and Russian Far East areas.
The party also developed close links to like-minded groups in the United States
, including Anastasy Vonsyatsky
during his exile. On March 24, 1934 a merger was agreed in Tokyo
between the RFP and Vonsyatsky's supporters (who also used the label Russian Fascist Organisation), although they would later clash over Rodzaevsky's attempts to accommodate more conservative
Russians, as well as his anti-Semitism
, which Vonsyatsky felt was destructive and too German
. Eventually the RFP broke with the Americans, and in 1935 Vonsyatsky was expelled, breaking off to form a more minor movement in the United States
called "Russian National Revolutionary Party", which was of anti-communist orientation and claimed that their only intention was "to form in Russia a truly democratic government".
Nevertheless, the RFP under Rodzaevsky had grown strong and claimed 20,000 activists by May 1935. Subsidiaries of the RFP were set up - Russian Women's Fascist Movement
(RGFD), Fascist Union of Youth
, Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (boys)
, Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (girls)
, Union of Fascist Little Ones
.
Rodzaevsky's book, The Russian National State, outlined the programme of the party to establish fascism
in Russia by May 1, 1938, including a desire to get rid of the Jews
, indicating a strong break from the Vonsyatsky-wing. The party also had a strong commitment to the Russian Orthodox Church
, promising a special relationship between the Church and the state in his projected fascist Russia. The group also promised to respect the traditions of Russia's nationalities and instigate corporatism
.
In 1940 - December 1941, there was a resumption of cooperation between Konstantin Rodzaevsky
and Anastasy Vonsyatsky
, interrupted by the start of Japanese-American War.
When war was declared, the activities of the RFP outside Manchuria slowly came to an end whilst the group was restricted by the Japanese following the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact
of 1941. The group came to an end in 1945, when the Red Army
invaded Manchukuo in the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, with Rodzaevsky eventually surrendering before being executed the following year.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n emigre movement that was based in Manchukuo
Manchukuo
Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...
during the 1930s and 1940s.
Fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
had existed amongst the Manchurian Russians since the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
and had been promoted by the minor Russian Fascist Organisation amongst others. A secret convention of the various groups was held, leading to the foundation of the RFP under the presidency of Major General Vladimir Dmitrievich Kozmin. Konstantin Rodzaevsky
Konstantin Rodzaevsky
Konstantin Vladimirovich Rodzaevsky was the leader of the Russian Fascist Party, which he led in exile from Manchuria, chief editor of the RFP "Nash Put".-Far Eastern Fascism:...
became Secretary General of the party's central committee on May 26, 1931, becoming the de facto leader of the party. Adopting the slogan "God, Nation, Labour" and publishing the journal Natsiya, the party called for Italian-style fascism
Italian Fascism
Italian Fascism also known as Fascism with a capital "F" refers to the original fascist ideology in Italy. This ideology is associated with the National Fascist Party which under Benito Mussolini ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1922 until 1943, the Republican Fascist Party which ruled the Italian...
to take advantage of the shaky position of the Bolshevik
Bolshevik
The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists , derived from bol'shinstvo, "majority") were a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party which split apart from the Menshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in 1903....
leaders in the face of both external and internal opposition.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the RFP became the most influential émigré group in Manchukuo
Manchukuo
Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...
, setting up a party school in Harbin
Harbin
Harbin ; Manchu language: , Harbin; Russian: Харби́н Kharbin ), is the capital and largest city of Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, lying on the southern bank of the Songhua River...
in 1932. Rodzaevsky also assisted the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
in the formation of the Asano Detactment, the all ethnic Russian special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
in the Kwantung Army, organized for carrying out sabotage against Soviet forces in case of any Japanese invasion of Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
and Russian Far East areas.
The party also developed close links to like-minded groups in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including Anastasy Vonsyatsky
Anastasy Vonsyatsky
Anastasy Andreyevich Vonsyatsky , better known in the United States as Anastase Andreivitch Vonsiatsky, was a Russian anti-Bolshevik émigré and fascist leader based in the United States since the 1920s....
during his exile. On March 24, 1934 a merger was agreed in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
between the RFP and Vonsyatsky's supporters (who also used the label Russian Fascist Organisation), although they would later clash over Rodzaevsky's attempts to accommodate more conservative
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...
Russians, as well as his anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, which Vonsyatsky felt was destructive and too German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. Eventually the RFP broke with the Americans, and in 1935 Vonsyatsky was expelled, breaking off to form a more minor movement in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
called "Russian National Revolutionary Party", which was of anti-communist orientation and claimed that their only intention was "to form in Russia a truly democratic government".
Russian Women's Fascist Movement
Russian Women's Fascist Movement ) was the women's wing of the All-Russia Fascist Party. It was established in Harbin to unite women in Russia who believe in God and desire a loving home and respectable work. Ideologically, the Russian Women's Fascist Movement adheres to Russian fascism, following...
(RGFD), Fascist Union of Youth
Fascist Union of Youth
The Fascist Union of Youth was the youth organization of the Russian Fascist Party. It was founded in 1936 in Harbin, which consisted of all automatically members of the organizations VFP in age from 16 to 25 years....
, Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (boys)
Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (boys)
The Union of Young Fascists — Vanguard was a boy's youth organization of the Russian Fascist Party. It was founded in 1934 in Harbin, and was made up of Russian nationals aged between 10 and 16.The objectives of the Union were:...
, Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (girls)
Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard (girls)
The Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard was the young women's youth organization of the Russian Fascist Party. It was founded in 1934 in Harbin, and was open to Russian girls aged 10 to 16 years....
, Union of Fascist Little Ones
Union of Fascist Little Ones
The Union of Fascist Little Ones was a youth organization of the Russian Fascist Party. It was founded in 1934 in Harbin, and was open to "Russian boys and girls who believe in God, love Russia and respect labour"....
.
Rodzaevsky's book, The Russian National State, outlined the programme of the party to establish fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
in Russia by May 1, 1938, including a desire to get rid of the Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
, indicating a strong break from the Vonsyatsky-wing. The party also had a strong commitment to the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
, promising a special relationship between the Church and the state in his projected fascist Russia. The group also promised to respect the traditions of Russia's nationalities and instigate corporatism
Corporatism
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that involves association of the people of society into corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common...
.
In 1940 - December 1941, there was a resumption of cooperation between Konstantin Rodzaevsky
Konstantin Rodzaevsky
Konstantin Vladimirovich Rodzaevsky was the leader of the Russian Fascist Party, which he led in exile from Manchuria, chief editor of the RFP "Nash Put".-Far Eastern Fascism:...
and Anastasy Vonsyatsky
Anastasy Vonsyatsky
Anastasy Andreyevich Vonsyatsky , better known in the United States as Anastase Andreivitch Vonsiatsky, was a Russian anti-Bolshevik émigré and fascist leader based in the United States since the 1920s....
, interrupted by the start of Japanese-American War.
When war was declared, the activities of the RFP outside Manchuria slowly came to an end whilst the group was restricted by the Japanese following the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact
Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact
The , more extensively known as was a pact between the Empire of Japan and the Soviet Union signed on April 13, 1941, two years after the brief Soviet-Japanese Border War .- Background and history :...
of 1941. The group came to an end in 1945, when the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
invaded Manchukuo in the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, with Rodzaevsky eventually surrendering before being executed the following year.
External links
- E. Oberlander, 'The All-Russian Fascist Party', Journal of Contemporary History, Vol. 1, No. 1. (1966), pp. 158-173
- Various photos
- К. В. Родзаевский. Завещание Русского фашистаZaveshchanie russkogo fashistaZaveshchanie russkogo fashista is a reprint edition published in 2001 of a book by Konstantin Rodzaevsky, the leader of the All-Russia Fascist Party...
. М., ФЭРИ-В, 2001 ISBN 5-94138-010-0