Creating German Communism, 1890-1990 -

Under Nazi rule, the KPD was suppressed, with members fragmented into resistance groups, prison camps, or exile in the Soviet Union.

German communism was shaped by a unique "political culture" that emerged from the harsh environments of Imperial and Weimar Germany. Key stages in this creation include: Creating German Communism, 1890-1990

The leadership of the GDR ultimately became tragically removed from the desires of its people, remaining "imprisoned" in the confrontational policies of their early history. Creating German Communism, 1890-1990 Under Nazi rule, the KPD was suppressed, with

During the Weimar Republic, communists were often pushed out of traditional workplaces and into the streets. This created a culture of "display and spectacle," defined by physical prowess, confrontational rallies against police and fascists, and a rejection of practical political mediation. Internal debates over whether to pursue gradual reform

Industrial growth provided the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with a massive working-class base. Internal debates over whether to pursue gradual reform or violent revolution eventually led to the 1918 revolution and the founding of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) by figures like Rosa Luxemburg.

After WWII, the Socialist Unity Party (SED) was formed in East Germany. Weitz argues that the intransigent, militaristic, and gendered political culture forged in the Weimar streets directly influenced the rigid governance of the GDR. Core Themes in German Communism