Lapua Movement
| Lapua Movement | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Vihtori Kosola, Iivari Koivisto, Vihtori Herttua |
| Dates of operation | 1929–1932 |
| Motives | Outlawing communism in Finland (initially) Setting up right-wing dictatorship (later) |
| Ideology | Fascism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Major actions | Assault, murder, kidnapping, rioting |
| Notable attacks | Vaasa riot Ståhlberg kidnapping Mäntsälä rebellion |
| Status | Outlawed in 1932 |
| Size | At least 40,000 (1930 est.) |
The Lapua Movement (Finnish: Lapuanliike, Swedish: Lapporörelsen) was a radical Finnish nationalist, fascist, pro-German 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.