German Social Democratic and Independent Social Democratic politician who headed Berlin police in 1918
“I got my job from the Revolution, and I shall give it up only to the Revolution.”
A trained mechanic, Eichhorn worked for the Social Democratic Party before joining the Independent Social Democratic Party in 1917. After the November Revolution of 1918, he became Berlin police president and pursued a policing policy favorable to left-wing political groups. On 4 January 1919, the Prussian cabinet tried to dismiss him and replace him with Social Democrat Eugen Ernst. Mass demonstrations and a general strike opposed the move, followed by occupations and armed clashes that became the January uprising.
Activities and affiliations
- Security, intelligence and policing · Germany state institutions
Career Timeline
- 1893Became a full-time Social Democratic Party official and worked as an editor in Dresden
- 1903–1911Member of the Reichstag for Baden's 9th constituency
- 1908–1917Head of the Berlin Social Democratic press office
- 1917Joined the Independent Social Democratic Party
- 1918–1919Served as Berlin police president
- 1919–1920Member of the Weimar National Assembly for Berlin
- 1920–1925Joined the Communist Party of Germany and served in the Reichstag