Anti-Socialist Laws
반사회주의자법
Law passed by the German Reichstag in October 1878 at Bismarck's behest, banning socialist, social-democratic and communist associations, meetings and publications aimed at overthrowing the existing political or social order. It expired on 30 September 1890 after the Reichstag refused to renew it.
In depth
The attempts on Wilhelm I by Max Hödel in May and Karl Eduard Nobiling in June 1878 served as the pretext, though neither had close ties to the Socialist Workers' Party. The law was passed on 19 October and took effect on 22 October. It left electoral participation untouched, so Social Democrats could still stand for the Reichstag as individual candidates and speak under parliamentary immunity. In cities placed under the minor state of siege some 797 people were expelled under Section 28. Socialist votes nonetheless rose from about 312,000 in 1881 to 1,427,000 in 1890, and the failure to renew the law contributed to Bismarck's dismissal in 1890.