SPD leader who headed the revolutionary government of 1918, steered the councils into parliamentary democracy and became the first president
Born to a tailor in Heidelberg, he worked as a saddler, became a party organiser in Bremen and in 1913 succeeded Bebel as SPD co-chairman. In the war he backed war credits and the Burgfrieden. Taking over the chancellorship on 9 November 1918, he led the Council of People’s Deputies and that night won the army’s support in a secret pact with General Groener. Elected president by the National Assembly in February 1919, he put down risings from left and right with the army, the Freikorps and emergency decrees under Article 48. He died in office in 1925 after an appendicitis operation.
Related historical events
- 1914–1918First World WarSPD leader who backed war credits and the BurgfriedenDuring the war, he backed war credits and the Burgfrieden.
- 1907–1919The collapse of the Second InternationalSPD co-chairmanLed the majority in continued support for the war.
- 1918.10–1919.08The German Revolution of 1918–1919SPD leader, co-chair of the People’s DeputiesLed the revolutionary government, allied with the Army Command and steered the councils into parliamentary democracy.