VSHSON
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 Освобождение Народа - ВСХСОН) was an underground anti-Soviet organization that existed in Russia during 1964-1967. The Union counted 28 members and 50 candidates.[1]
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 camps and five years of exile.[1] After returning to Russia from exile in Germany, Ogurtsov continued a life of political activism.
References
- Articles with Russian-language external links
- Organizations established in 1964
- 1964 establishments in the Soviet Union
- 1964 establishments in Russia
- Organizations disestablished in 1967
- 1967 disestablishments in the Soviet Union
- 1967 disestablishments in Russia
- Political parties established in 1964
- Political parties disestablished in 1967
- Political parties in the Soviet Union
- Non-governmental organizations based in the Soviet Union
- Non-profit organizations based in the Soviet Union
- Non-governmental organizations based in Russia
- Non-profit organizations based in Russia
- Soviet opposition groups
- Defunct Christian political parties