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Revolution in Hamburg
In summer 1918, it became clear that Germany had lost World War I. No
amount of propaganda could hide the fact that the old authoritarian
regime had failed dismally and lost its popular support. Reform, equal
rights and democracy were not granted. Hunger, misery, protest and the
desire for peace grew in equal proportions.
In early November 1918 navy sailors started a mutiny in Kiel. The uprising
swiftly spread across northern Germany. On November 5, workers at Hamburg's
principal shipyards voted to strike in solidarity, but were pacified
by representatives of the SPD and the unions. At a 10,000-strong meeting
of the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD) that same evening,
however, a general strike was announced for the next day, and demands
for the Kaiser's abdication and the creation of a socialist republic
were raised.
During the night, marines disarmed torpedo boats moored in the harbor
and occupied strategic positions in the city. On November 6, they formed
a Workers’ and Soldiers’ Council together with members of
the USPD. It declared that it had taken over political power and would
ensure order and the distribution of food. After some 40,000 people
assembled at Heiligengeistfeld to hear the Workers’ and Soldiers’
Council communicate its aims, they marched on the General Command in
Altona which held military power in the Hamburg area. On the way, shooting
cost 10 people their lives.
Hamburg's senate made peace with the new power that same day and declared
itself ready to cooperate. On November 9, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated,
and the republic was proclaimed in Berlin. On November 11, the German
Reich signed an armistice with the Allies. After elections to the constituent
assembly of the City Council on March 16, 1919, the Workers’ and
Soldiers’ Council handed power to the city parliament.
Hamburg in the 20th.century (1)
- Imperial Germany
and the Struggle for Voting Rights
- Life in Wilhelmine
Germany
- The Mobile City
- International Port
and Economic Center
- Revolution in Hamburg
- Democracy
and its Enemies
- A
Decade of Economic Crisis
- Greater
Hamburg
- Life
Under the Swastika
- The
Abolition of Democracy
- Towards
a War Economy
- Persecution and resistance
in the National Socialist state
- Hamburg
at war
- Destruction
by Fire Storm
Hamburg in the 20th.century (2)
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