VSHSON
Encyclopedia
The VSHSON or All-Russian Social-Christian Union for the Liberation of the People (Vse-Rossiiskii Sotsial-Hristianskii Soyuz Osvobozhdenie Naroda, Всероссийский Социал-Христианский Союз за Освобождения Народа - ВСХСОН) was an underground anti-Soviet organization that existed in Russia
during 1964-1967. The Union counted 28 members and 50 candidates.
The ideology of the VSHSON was social Christianity (a “third path – not communism, not capitalism”) – the projection of Christian ethics on a reformed social and economical structure of Soviet society.
VSHSON members stood for the abolition of Soviet totalitarianism and the resurrection of a “healthy balance between the individual, society, and government”, and the resurrection of the individual (versus Soviet collectivism). As compared to other secret youth organizations of the 1960s - early 1970s, the bylaws of VSHSON had stated that every member of the organization “is not only a propagandist and organizer, but a soldier”. In many ways the organization can be compared to the emigre NTS
.
In 1967, having been reported by a traitor, the organization was uncovered by the KGB
. Twenty one of the organization's members were put on trial and received long terms of interment. Co-founder Igor Ogurtsov was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, eight years of labor camp
s and five years of exile.. After returning to Russia from exile in Germany
, Ogurtsov continued a life of political activism.
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...
during 1964-1967. The Union counted 28 members and 50 candidates.
The ideology of the VSHSON was social Christianity (a “third path – not communism, not capitalism”) – the projection of Christian ethics on a reformed social and economical structure of Soviet society.
VSHSON members stood for the abolition of Soviet totalitarianism and the resurrection of a “healthy balance between the individual, society, and government”, and the resurrection of the individual (versus Soviet collectivism). As compared to other secret youth organizations of the 1960s - early 1970s, the bylaws of VSHSON had stated that every member of the organization “is not only a propagandist and organizer, but a soldier”. In many ways the organization can be compared to the emigre NTS
National Alliance of Russian Solidarists
The National Alliance of Russian Solidarists ), known by its Russian abbreviation "NTS" is a Russian far-right anticommunist organization founded in 1930 by a group of young Russian anticommunist White emigres in Belgrade, Serbia .The organization was formed in response to the older generation of...
.
In 1967, having been reported by a traitor, the organization was uncovered by the KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
. Twenty one of the organization's members were put on trial and received long terms of interment. Co-founder Igor Ogurtsov was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, eight years of labor camp
Labor camp
A labor camp is a simplified detention facility where inmates are forced to engage in penal labor. Labor camps have many common aspects with slavery and with prisons...
s and five years of exile.. After returning to Russia from exile 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...
, Ogurtsov continued a life of political activism.