Lapua Movement

Far-right political movement in Finland (1929–32) Lapua MovementLeadersVihtori Kosola, Iivari Koivisto, Vihtori HerttuaDates active1929–1932IdeologyFascism Greater Finland Finnish nationalism Anti-communism Authoritarian conservatism Political positionFar-rightStatusOutlawed in 1932Size30,000-40,000 (association)100,000 est. (in whole) Succeeded byPatriotic People's Movement The Lapua Movement (Finnish: Lapuanliike or Lapuan liike, Swedish: Lapporörelsen) was a radical Finnish nationalist, fascist, pro-Nazi and anti-communist political movement founded in and named after the town of Lapua. Led by Vihtori Kosola, it turned towards far-right politics after its founding and was banned after a failed coup d'etat attempt in 1932. The movement's anti-communist activities continued in the parliamentarian Patriotic People's Movement. Background At the 6th World Congress of the Communist International Joseph Stalin ordered all communist parties around the world to accelerate class struggle. The order led to a higher level of communist activity in Finland in 1929 like the so-called "Red Day" of August 1st when communists organized countrywide protests. A general strike was also declared