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An organisation founded in February 1924 by members of the SPD, the Centre Party and the German Democratic Party to defend the Weimar Republic’s parliamentary democracy against extremists of left and right. In practice it leaned strongly towards the SPD and was the main antagonist of the right-wing Stahlhelm.
In depth
Its name came from the black, red and gold of the republic’s 1919 flag. Organised on military lines and with many veterans in its ranks, it nevertheless refused to arm itself. In 1931 it formed the Iron Front against the Nazis together with the SPD and the trade unions. It was banned after the Nazi seizure of power in 1933.