Vasily Shulgin

Vasily Vitalyevich Shulgin (January 13, 1878 - February 15, 1976) was Russian conservative politician and member of the White movement.

Young years

Shulgin was born in Kiev. His father was Professor of history, monarchist and editor of monarchist newspaper. Shulgin studied on the Law faculty of the Kiev University and was disgusted with constant students' protests. At that time he became ardent opponent of revolution and supporter of monarchy. He began to write articles in his father's newspaper. He also held antisemitic views but opposed open violence such as notorious pogroms which were common in Kiev at that time. Later in 1913 he heavily criticised government for Beilis trial. Shulgin understood that participation in or turning a blind eye on the most odious manifestation of antisemitism was detrimental for the government.

Politician

In 1907 Shulgin became member of the Duma. He advocated right-wing views, supported the government of Pyotr Stolypin, including introduction of courts-martial and other controversial innovations. When the First World War was broken out, Shulgin joined the army. In 1915 he was wounded and returned home. Shulgin was shocked with the terrible organization and supply of the Russian army. Together with members of the Octobrists and Cadets and other right-wing or centrist politicians he established the Progressive Bloc. The aim of the Bloc was to provide the army with everything necessary since the government failed to do it.

Revolution and emigration

Obviously, Shulgin opposed the revolution, though it was evident that absolute monarchy in Russia would no longer exist. Together with Alexander Guchkov he persuaded Nicholas II to abdicate from the throne since he believed that constitutional monarchy Michael Alexandrovich being the monarch or even republic, if a strong government was established, would be a remedy for Russia. For the same reason he supported the Provisional Government and Kornilov's coup. When all hope was lost he moved to Kiev where he participated in the White movement. In 1920 Shulgin emigrated to Yugoslavia. In 1925-26 he secretly visited the Soviet Union. He described this visit and his impression of the New Economic Policy in the book called "The Three Capitals" ("Три столицы"). While in emigration Shulgin continued keeping in touch with other leaders of the White movement until 1937 when he ceased his political activity.

Return to the Soviet Union

In 1944 the Soviet army entered Yugoslavia. Shulgin was arrested and sentenced to 25 years for his "hostile to communism antisoviet activity". After twelve years in prison he was released in 1956 under the amnesty. Since then he lived in Vladimir. In his later books he argued that communism was no more a disaster for Russia since former Bolsheviks turned into patriots of Russia. In 1965 Shulgin was the main hero in a documentary film in which he told his story to a Soviet historian.