The Leader of the Black Hundred and the “Black Baron” Concerning Relations of N.E. Markov with P.N. Wrangel in 1920s

Abstract. The article presents for the first time in detail the mutual relations of two leaders of the Russian Right Emigration – the leader of the Supreme Monarchial Counsel N.E. Markov (Markov II) and the chairman of the Russian Joint Military Union general P.N. Wrangel. It is emphasized that both figures who were popular in the Russian military emigrant world and who possessed such traits as will, force and staunchness, in spite of common anti-bolshevik views, turned to be political rivals. Based on different sources, some of which are introduced into scientific discourse for the first time (materials of emigrant periodical press), the article reconstructs the stages of Markov and Wrangel’s relations, brings to light the reasons of their rivalry, gives assessment of their views toward army and political issues. It is pointed out that the reasons of mutual mistrust and behind-the-scenes struggle between two leaders of emigration were serious political disagreements concerning the necessity of declaration of monarchial slogans, mutual unfriendliness, aspiration for leadership and dictatorial ambitions. In the conflict between Markov and Wrangel, their entourage as well as the Soviet security agencies, which aspired to disunite the emigration, played an important role. As a result, the alliance between Markov and Wrangel, frightening left forces, was never formed and their hostility brought the White emigration nothing but harm.

Keywords: N.E. Markov, P.N. Wrangel, Supreme Monarchist Council, Russian Joint Military Union, Russian emigration, White movement, right-wing monarchism.