Description
Book SynopsisThe German Left and the Weimar Republic illuminates the history of the political left by presenting a wide range of documents on various aspects of socialist and communist activity in Germany. Separate chapters deal with the policy of Social Democracy and the attempts of the Communist Party to overthrow the Weimar Republic. Later chapters discuss social issues, in particular questions of gender and sexuality. The book concludes with a presentation of documents on various groups of socialist and communist dissidents.
Trade Review“Socialist historian Ben Fowkes has given us a unique and vivid text documentary of the German workers’ movement during the tumultuous years of its greatest influence… For socialists, this unique resource breaks through veils of historical interpretation and ideology and permits us to hear the protagonists of our movement’s past in their own words.” —John Riddell, editor Toward the United Front
Socialist historian Ben Fowkes has given us a unique and vivid text documentary of the German workers’ movement during the tumultuous years of its greatest influence
For socialists, this unique resource breaks through veils of historical interpretation and ideology and permits us to hear the protagonists of our movement’s past in their own words.” John Riddell, editor Toward the United Front
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Abbreviations General Introduction Chapter 1 Social Democracy in Government: Measures of Reform in Theory and Practice Chapter 2 The Council Idea: Workers’ Councils and Factory Councils Chapter 3 Communism and Insurrection Chapter 4 In Defence of Democracy Chapter 5 The Weimar Left Between Opposition and Coalition: Varied Strategies Chapter 6 The Moscow Connection: The KPD and the Comintern Chapter 7 Socialism and Foreign Policy Chapter 8 The Search for Democracy in the Armed Forces Chapter 9 Questions of Gender and Sexual Politics Chapter 10 Long-term Political Objectives: Similarities and Differences Chapter 11 The Parties, their Supporters and the Proletarian Milieu Chapter 12 Parties and Groups of the Dissident Left Bibliography Index
