The Second Revolution: The Council Movement in Berlin 1919-20 (Historical Materialism Book, 284)

"The Berlin council movement of 1919-20 proves that there was a left alternative beyond Social Democracy and Stalinism in the German Revolution. The movement combined an impressive mass mobilisation with extensive socialist and democratic aspirations that pointed far beyond the Weimar order. Berlin was not just the centre of the November Revolution of 1918, but also the most important arena of the Second Revolution that followed. For the first time, the movement is analysed here in all its diversity and on the basis of a broad range of sources. Beside the workers' and factory councils, it also includes councils of students, women, the unemployed and intellectuals. Central events such as the 1919 general strike and the struggle against the Kapp Putsch of 1920 are also examined"-- Provided by publisher ‎Contents 6 ‎Foreword to the English Edition 10 ‎About the Author 13 ‎Abbreviations 14 ‎Introduction 16 ‎The Subject, Its Historical Context and Its Significance 16 ‎The Present State of Research 21 ‎Methodology and Sources 33 ‎Chapter 1. The March 1919 General Strike in Berlin 45 ‎The Course of Events – a Brief Outline 46 ‎Strikes in the Other Regions 47 ‎Objectives of the Leadership and Measures Taken 57 ‎Cross-Regional Coordination 76 ‎Pressure from below: The Rank and File of the Movement 83 ‎Official Strike Demands 104 ‎Scope and Capacity for Mobilisation 114 ‎Organisation of the Strike Movement 121 ‎Citizens’ Council and General Strike 126 ‎The Role of the Media 127 ‎Street Fighting during the Strike 136 ‎The Response of the Governments 149 ‎Interim Conclusion 156 ‎Chapter 2. The Demonstration outside the Reichstag on 13 January 1920 161 ‎The Opposition Is Forming 161 ‎The Course of Events at the Demonstration 165 ‎Consequences 172 ‎Contradictory Interpretations 174 ‎The Role of the Security Police and Military 180 ‎Interim Conclusion 185 ‎Chapter 3. The Kapp-Lüttwitz Putsch and the Council Movement 189 ‎Starting Shot from the Right: The Putsch 190 ‎Backlash from the Left: the General Strike in Germany and Berlin 194 ‎Workers’ Organisations: For and against the Councils 203 ‎A Second Spring for the Councils? Reconstruction and Activities 213 ‎Interim Conclusion 227 ‎Chapter 4. The Revolutionary Central Office of Factory Councils 232 ‎Foundation and Organisational Structure 233 ‎Programme 241 ‎Rivalry with the Trade Unions 243 ‎Interim Conclusion 250 ‎Chapter 5. Pupil Councils 253 ‎A Special Case: Gustav Wyneken’s Attempt at Reform 253 ‎The Starting Point: Vocational Schools and the Youth Workers’ Movement 256 ‎Structure of the Pupil Councils 263 ‎The School Strike in the Summer of 1919 266 ‎Relationship to the ‘Actual’ Council Movement 279 ‎Interim Conclusion 282 ‎Chapter 6. Unemployed Councils 285 ‎Unemployment in Berlin 286 ‎Organisational Development of the Unemployed Councils 288 ‎Objectives and Activities 294 ‎Relations with the Other Sections of the Workers’ Movement 307 ‎Interim Conclusion 313 ‎Chapter 7. The ‘Political Council of Intellectual Workers’ 316 ‎Chapter 8. Women and the Council Movement 325 ‎Contemporary Reflections on the Integration of Women into the Councils 325 ‎Women in Council Practice 332 ‎Interim Conclusion 336 ‎Chapter 9. The Council Policies of the Left Parties and Trade Unions 338 ‎Origins and Contents of Article 165 of the Weimar Constitution and of the Factory Councils Act 338 ‎Free Trade Unions: General German Trade Union Federation, DMV and AfA 345 ‎SPD 361 ‎KPD 376 ‎USPD 389 ‎Interim Conclusion 411 ‎Chapter 10. Summary and Conclusion 415 ‎Aims and Concepts 417 ‎Organisational Structures 422 ‎Modes of Action 429 ‎Relationship to the State 431 ‎Council Movement and Revolution 434 ‎Bibliography 440 ‎Index 464