Political parties in the new republic Flashcards
Spartacist League (later KPD)
Founded: 1916, by a more revolutionary minority group from the SPD. The name was changed to German Communist Party (KPD) in January 1919.
Leaders: Karl Liebkneckt and Rosa Luxemburg.
Aims: Wanted republican government controlled by workers’ and soldiers’ councils, welfare benefits, nationalisation, workers’ control of major industries, disbanding of the army and creation of local workers’ militias. Opposed to WWI.
Support: A throng of workers would often join them on their rallies and demonstrations in the streets.
Membership: c. 5,000
USPD
Founded: 1917, by a breakaway minority group from the left of the SPD.
Leaders: Hugo Hasse.
Aims: Wanted a republic with national Reichstag working with workers’ and soldiers’ councils, welfare improvements, nationalisation of industry, breaking up of large estates, reform of the army and creation of a national militia. Opposed to WWI.
Support: Grew in strength during 1918 as war-weariness grew.
Membership: c. 300,000
The Social Democratic Party (SPD)
Founded: 1875, as a Marxist socialist party committed to revolution.
Leaders: Friedrich Ebert and Philipp Scheidemann.
Aims: Wanted moderate socialist republic with democratic elections and basic personal freedoms, welfare improvements and gradual nationalisation of industry. Wanted continuity and order. Supported Germany’s entry into WWI.
Support: Appealed largely to working-class voters and, in 1912, became the largest party in the Reichstag.
Membership: c. 1 million (1,000,000)
Centre Party
> Formed in 1870 to protect Catholic interests in the mainly Protestant German Reich.
> Had strong support in the main Catholic areas of Bavaria and the Rhineland.
> Supported a democratic constitution.
German Democratic Party (DDP)
> A left-leaning liberal party, based on the old Progressive Party.
> Most support came from intellectuals and the middle-class.
> Supported a democratic constitution.
German People’s Party (DVP)
> A right-leaning liberal party, based on the old National Liberal Party.
> Most support came from the upper-middle-class and business interests.
> Opposed to the new republic, but willing to participate in governments.
German National People’s Party (DNVP)
> A nationalist party, based on the old Conservative Party.
> Most support came from landowners and some small business owners.
> Rejected the democratic constitution.
