Creating German — Communism, 1890-1990

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

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:

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.

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