German social-democratic politician and co-chair of the Independent Social Democratic Party.
A painter and journalist, Crispien opposed the Social Democratic Party's support for the war and helped found the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD) in 1917. He served as interior minister in Württemberg's provisional government in 1918–19 and became a USPD co-chair in 1919. He attended the Communist International's Second Congress in 1920 as a USPD delegate but opposed its admission conditions and merger with the Communist Party of Germany. After most of the USPD reunited with the Social Democratic Party in 1922, he joined its leadership; he went into exile after the Nazi seizure of power in 1933.
Activities and affiliations
- Political and party leadership · Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
Career Timeline
- 1918–1919Interior minister in Württemberg's provisional government
- 1919–1922Co-chair of the Independent Social Democratic Party
- 1920Attended the Second Congress of the Communist International as a USPD delegate
- 1922–1933Co-chair of the Social Democratic Party of Germany
Related historical events
- 1914–1918First World WarAnti-war socialist party founderIn 1917, he opposed support for the war and helped found the USPD.
- 1907–1919The collapse of the Second InternationalAnti-war socialistHe opposed the German Social Democratic Party's support for the war.
- 1919–1921The founding of the CominternUSPD delegate to the Comintern's Second CongressIn 1920, he attended the Comintern's Second Congress as a USPD delegate.