Germany: From Revolution to Counter-Revolution

From 1918 to 1933 revolution and counter-revolution followed hot on each others’ heels. The barbarity of the Nazis is well-documented. Less well-known are the events that preceded Hitler’s rise to power. Rob Sewell gives a picture of the tumultuous events - the 1918 revolution, the collapse of the Kaiser’s regime, the short-lived Bavarian Soviet Republic, the Kapp putsch in 1920, the French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 and the ensuing revolutionary upheavals culminating in the abortive Hamburg uprising, finally Hitler’s rise to power in 1929-33. Above all this book shows in the decisive and tragic role of the German workers’ leadership the answer to one of the key questions of the modern era: How was it possible for the mightiest labour movement in Europe to be trampled under the iron heel of fascism? This edition features several new articles by Rob Sewell, including an analysis of the pre-revolutionary situation Britain faced in 1919.

Contents

20 chapters

• Contents
• New Introduction
• Introduction to the American Edition
• Introduction to the First Edition
• Map of Germany in 1920
• 1. The Rise of Organised Labour
• 2. In the Throes of Revolution
• 3. Counter-Revolution Raises Its Head
• 4. The Kapp Putsch
• 5. The Crisis of 1923
• 6. Stabilisation
• 7. Fascism’s Rise to Power
• 8. The Nazi Terror
• Postscript
• Appendix I. The German Revolution of 1923
• Appendix II. 1919: Britain on the Brink of Revolution
• Appendix III. 1923: An Opportunity Missed?
• Appendix IV. The German Revolution,1917-1923, by Pierre Broué
• Appendix V. Chronology
• Glossary