People's History of the German Revolution: 1918-19

In October 1918, German sailors mutinied against the Imperial Naval Command, leading to a revolution that toppled the monarchy and established a period of radical popular democracy. William A. Pelz's book "A People's History of the German Revolution" explores the revolution from the bottom up, focusing on the active role of women, rank-and-file activists, and ordinary workers. He argues that the actions of the common people shaped a truly revolutionary society for a brief period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2018
Publisher: Pluto Press

In the waning days of the First World War, exhausted German sailors staged a mutiny when the Imperial Naval Command ordered them to engage in a futile final battle with the British Royal Navy. This uprising, which took place amidst the ashes of the war, swiftly escalated into a full-fledged revolution that brought down the monarchy and ushered in a period of radical popular democracy. The establishment of the Weimar Republic in 1919 marked the end of this transformative era. However, in his book, A People's History of the German Revolution, William A. Pelz challenges the prevailing narrative that often portrays the revolution as a mere collapse or a chaotic interlude preceding Germany's inevitable transition to a republic. Pelz goes beyond the well-known figures of Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxemburg, and Clara Zetkins, delving into the revolution from the grassroots level. He highlights the active participation of women, rank-and-file activists, and ordinary workers in shaping its events. By rejecting the notion that agency was solely in the hands of international actors like Woodrow Wilson or German elites, Pelz presents a compelling argument that for a brief moment, the actions of the common people propelled a society into a truly revolutionary state.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 214 x 139 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745337104