Russian Fascist Party

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The Russian Fascist Party (sometimes called the All-Russian Fascist Party) was a minor Russian emigre movement that was based in Manchuria 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 terms of both external and internal opposition.^[1]

By co-operating with Japan the RFP became the most influential emigre group in Manchukuo, even setting up a party school in Harbin in 1932.^[2] The party also developed close links to like-minded groups in the United States, including Anastasy Vonsyatsky during his exile.^[3] On 24 March 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.^[4] Nevertheless the RFP under Rodzaevsky had grown strong and claimed 20,000 activists by May 1935. 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 fascist Russia. The group also promised to respect the traditions of Russia's nationalities and instigate corporatism.^[5]

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 entered Manchuria with Rodzaevsky eventually surrendering before being executed the following year.^[6]