Communist Party of Germany
Quick Summary
The Communist Party of Germany (KPD) was a significant political party in Germany, particularly during the Weimar Republic and the early years of East Germany. Founded in 1919, it was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union and the Comintern (Communist International). Ernst Thälmann, a prominent leader, twice ran for president during the Weimar era.21
The KPD's strategy, often dictated by Moscow, focused on opposing social democracy, which it viewed as a primary enemy. This stance contributed to the party's unpreparedness for the rise of the Nazi Party, leading to mass arrests of its members after Hitler came to power in 1933. Thälmann himself was arrested and later died in a concentration camp.21
After World War II, the KPD was re-established in the Soviet occupation zone. In 1946, it merged with the Social Democratic Party in that zone to form the Socialist Unity Party (SED), which became the ruling party of East Germany.3
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GermanyDefeat of revolutionaries, 1918–19The Spartacists, now officially the Communist Party of Germany, initiated massive demonstrations in Berlin and quickly seized key government and communications centers.
Read MoreThe Spartacists, now officially the Communist Party of Germany, initiated massive demonstrations in Berlin and quickly seized key government and communications centers.
Read More- GermanyThe reunification of Germany
…was replaced by a reform-minded communist, Hans Modrow, who promised free, multiparty elections. When the balloting took place in March 1990 the SED, now renamed the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), suffered a crushing defeat. The eastern counterpart of Kohl’s CDU, which had pledged a speedy reunification of Germany, emerged…
Read More…was replaced by a reform-minded communist, Hans Modrow, who promised free, multiparty elections. When the balloting took place in March 1990 the SED, now renamed the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), suffered a crushing defeat. The eastern counterpart of Kohl’s CDU, which had pledged a speedy reunification of Germany, emerged…
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Friedrich Ebert…the SPD to form the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). The leftists who had withdrawn from the SPD sought a social revolution, while Ebert and his party wanted to establish a German parliamentary democracy. Even in the midst of the war, the Catholic Centre Party, the Democratic Party (previously the…
Read More…the SPD to form the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). The leftists who had withdrawn from the SPD sought a social revolution, while Ebert and his party wanted to establish a German parliamentary democracy. Even in the midst of the war, the Catholic Centre Party, the Democratic Party (previously the…
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Karl Liebknecht…underground group that became the Communist Party of Germany, dedicated to a socialist revolution. Liebknecht was killed in the Spartacus Revolt of January 1919.
Read More…underground group that became the Communist Party of Germany, dedicated to a socialist revolution. Liebknecht was killed in the Spartacus Revolt of January 1919.
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Rosa Luxemburg…they became founders of the German Communist Party, but Luxemburg attempted to limit Bolshevik influence in this new organization. In fact, her Die russische Revolution (1922; The Russian Revolution) chastised Lenin’s party on its agrarian and national self-determination stands and its dictatorial and terrorist methods. Luxemburg always remained a believer…
Read More…they became founders of the German Communist Party, but Luxemburg attempted to limit Bolshevik influence in this new organization. In fact, her Die russische Revolution (1922; The Russian Revolution) chastised Lenin’s party on its agrarian and national self-determination stands and its dictatorial and terrorist methods. Luxemburg always remained a believer…
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Ernst Thälmann…the German Communist Party (KPD; Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands), the most powerful communist party outside the Soviet Union.
Read More…the German Communist Party (KPD; Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands), the most powerful communist party outside the Soviet Union.
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Walter Ulbricht…war he entered the new Communist Party of Germany (KPD). A bureaucrat and organizer, he was elected to the party’s central committee in 1923. With the rise of Joseph Stalin, Ulbricht became instrumental in Bolshevizing the German party and organizing it on a cell basis. He became a member of…
Read More…war he entered the new Communist Party of Germany (KPD). A bureaucrat and organizer, he was elected to the party’s central committee in 1923. With the rise of Joseph Stalin, Ulbricht became instrumental in Bolshevizing the German party and organizing it on a cell basis. He became a member of…
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