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Sömmerda Commune: A Forgotten German Workers’ Uprising
About this Episode
On 13 March 1920, in Germany, just hours after the far-right Kapp Putsch began and the Social Democratic government called for a general strike, workers in Sömmerda, Germany – many of whom were members of the anarchist Free Workers' Union of Germany (FAUD) – took control of their town.
They formed an executive committee of 40 workers, disarmed the town guard, arrested the reactionary mayor, and formed a workers' militia.
The putsch fell apart on March 17, the Social Democratic government asked for the end of the general strike on 20 March, and, after backdoor deals, the trade unions along with the Independent Social Democratic Party and Communist Party joined in calling the general strike officially over on March 22.
The workers in Sömmerda wouldn't give up their control, so on March 24 a detachment of troops, containing many of those who had just attempted to overthrow the government a week earlier, was sent to take back the town. In the repression, around 23 workers ended up dead and 180 were imprisoned.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8496/s%C3%B6mmerda-commune
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
They formed an executive committee of 40 workers, disarmed the town guard, arrested the reactionary mayor, and formed a workers' militia.
The putsch fell apart on March 17, the Social Democratic government asked for the end of the general strike on 20 March, and, after backdoor deals, the trade unions along with the Independent Social Democratic Party and Communist Party joined in calling the general strike officially over on March 22.
The workers in Sömmerda wouldn't give up their control, so on March 24 a detachment of troops, containing many of those who had just attempted to overthrow the government a week earlier, was sent to take back the town. In the repression, around 23 workers ended up dead and 180 were imprisoned.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8496/s%C3%B6mmerda-commune
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
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