German socialist and a leading figure in the workers’ council movement.
A social-democratic journalist, Däumig joined the Independent Social Democratic Party during the First World War and became influential among Berlin radicals and the revolutionary shop stewards. As a leading member of the Berlin workers’ council executive in November 1918, he sought to make the council system the basis of the constitution, but lost to supporters of a national assembly. In 1920 he led the USPD left into the Communist International and became co-chair of the United Communist Party of Germany. He resigned as co-chair with Paul Levi in February 1921, left the party after the March Action and Levi’s expulsion, and helped found the Communist Working Group; in 1922 he rejoined the USPD.
Activities and affiliations
- Political and party leadership · Communist Party of Germany (KPD)
Career Timeline
- 1901Began working for Social Democratic newspapers in Gera, Halle and Erfurt.
- 1911Joined the Berlin Social Democratic newspaper Vorwärts to cover military affairs and workers’ education.
- 1916After leaving Vorwärts, campaigned for the Independent Social Democratic Party.
- 1918Became a leader of the revolutionary shop stewards and a leading member of the Berlin workers’ council executive.
- 1920Entered the Reichstag as an Independent Social Democrat, backed acceptance of the Bolsheviks’ 21 conditions and affiliation with the Communist International, and became co-chair of the United Communist Party of Germany in December.
- 1921Resigned as co-chair of the United Communist Party of Germany with Paul Levi in February. After the March Action, he left the party and helped found the Communist Working Group.
- 1922Rejoined the Independent Social Democratic Party with the Communist Working Group.
Related historical events
- 1918.10–1919.08The German Revolution of 1918–1919Leader advocating a council-based orderIn November 1918, he sought to make the council system the constitutional basis as a leader of the Berlin workers’ council executive.
- 1919–1921The founding of the CominternLeader of the USPD left’s Comintern affiliationIn 1920, he led the USPD left into the Communist International.