Zoltán Meskó facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zoltán Meskó
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| Born |
Zoltán Meskó de Széplak
12 March 1883 Baja
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| Died | 10 June 1959 (aged 76) Nagybaracska
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| Citizenship | Hungarian |
| Known for | Nazi politician |
| Political party | Hungarian National Socialist Party |
| Spouse(s) | Margit Drescher |
| Children | Lajos Béla Imre |
Zoltán Meskó de Széplak (born March 12, 1883 – died June 10, 1959) was a Hungarian politician. He was known for leading a political group with extreme views in Hungary during the 1930s. His influence in politics lessened when Hungary joined the Axis powers during World War II.
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Early Political Life
Zoltán Meskó came from a family that owned land in Hungary. In 1931, he was chosen to be a member of the Hungarian parliament. He represented a group called the Smallholders Party, which focused on issues important to farmers.
Soon after, Meskó started to show support for the German Nazi movement. He even wore a uniform similar to those worn by German Nazi groups when he went to the Hungarian Parliament Building. He then joined a party called the National Socialist Party of Work.
Starting His Own Movement
Meskó announced that he was creating his own "Hungarian Hitlerite Movement." However, many people in parliament found his homemade uniform quite funny.
The Greenshirts Movement
In 1932, Meskó left the National Socialist Party of Work. He then joined another group called the Hungarian National Socialist Agricultural Labourers and Workers Party. This group tried to be like the German Nazi Party.
They used symbols like the swastika and the Arrow Cross. They also wore uniforms, first brown shirts, then green ones. Because of their green shirts, people started calling Meskó's group the "Greenshirts."
Seeking Support
The Greenshirts wanted to gain support from farmers and people who didn't own land. They tried to build a large following, but they were not very successful.
Meskó greatly admired Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany. He even grew a small mustache, similar to Hitler's, to look more like him.
Later Years in Politics
In 1934, Meskó became one of three leaders of a larger group called the Hungarian National Socialist Party. The other leaders were Sándor Festetics and Fidél Pálffy. However, Meskó was removed from this leadership position the next year. Pálffy then became the only leader.
Meskó was seen as less extreme than other Hungarian Nazi leaders. He remained loyal to the Hungarian leader at the time, Miklós Horthy. Other Nazi groups in Hungary wanted to remove Horthy from power.
End of His Political Career
After being removed from leadership, Meskó tried to restart his Greenshirts group, but he didn't succeed. He was elected to parliament again in 1939 as an independent politician with Nazi views. However, his strong admiration for Hitler began to fade.
As World War II continued, Meskó became less involved in Hungarian politics. He was held accountable for his actions after the war. He was released from prison in 1956 but returned in 1957. He was freed again shortly before he passed away in 1959.
