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 Освобождения Народа - ВСХСОН) was an underground anti-Soviet organization that existed in Russia during 1964-1967. The Union counted 28 members and 50 candidates. [http://www.sakharov-center.ru/museum/expositions/resistance-unfreedom-ussr/] ru icon]

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.. After returning to Russia from exile in Germany, Ogurtsov continued a life of political activism.

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