Summary:

Aarni Virtanen, Contrast or unity

This article is case study from the larger research which I have in process, as explained below. Vihtori Kosola (1884–1936) was an independence activist, peasant, jäger-recruiter and strikebreaker. Vihtori Kosola was known as the leader of Lapua movement and Patriotic people movement. The primary subject of this article is: why, how and what way Kosola’s speeches changed during the years 1929–36. Alongside, my aim is to show, how Kosola’s social network had an impact on the changes of his speeches. It is important to find out what kind of roles Kosola and the co- and real writers of his speeches had in the network which they belonged to.  It is not known exactly, who were the originators of the ideas for his particular speeches, but my aim is to try to trace them in some cases. Kosola’s speeches were also at work in creating the myth of Vihtori Kosola, especially crucial in this were his speeches in 1930. By close-reading the speeches during the years, can be defined what has changed - then accordingly, partially the solid unchanged nature of the myth of Vihtori Kosola de-constructed.

Kosola’s speeches can be seen as shifts in the political game. Speeches are also counter-reactions to the political situation; (R. G. Collingwood) messages to the supporters; the results of social network actions; in relation with Lapua movement acts; stories of political opinions. In short, speeches are Kosola’s tools to impact. 

The general, most recuring themes of Kosola’s speeches are: legality, democracy, Marxism, youth and students against old politicians; countryside – city, fatherland – unpatriotic. Macrocontexts of speeches are: depression, civil war 1918, land owning and crise-society.