The German Revolution of November 1918 toppled the Kaiser and ended Germany's involvement in WWI, but without a well-established Communist leadership, the socialist revolution ultimately failed. The consequences of this failure were felt with the rise of fascism in Germany and the consolidation of Stalinism in Russia. For more information, check out the podcast series "The Lessons of the Communist International" and the book "Germany 1918-1933: Socialism or Barbarism" by Rob Sewell.
“The whole of Europe is filled with the spirit of revolution,” remarked Lloyd George to the French Premier Clemenceau in March 1919. The ending of the bloody conflict of the so-called Great War of 1914-18 coincided with (and was in effect brought about by) the German Revolution of November 1918.
With power lying in their hands, the masses were able to topple the Kaiser and end Germany’s involvement in WWI. And yet, without a well-established Communist leadership, the socialist revolution ultimately failed.
The consequences of that failure would be most brutally felt over a decade later with the rise of fascism in Germany and the consolidation of Stalinism in Russia.
Check out the other episodes in our podcast series The Lessons of the Communist International.
If you’d like to read more about the German Revolution, we’d recommend purchasing a copy of Germany 1918-1933: Socialism or Barbarism by Rob Sewell.