The Berlin council movement of 1919–20 proves that there was a left alternative beyond Social Democracy and Stalinism in the German Revolution. The movement combined an impressive mass mobilisation with extensive socialist and democratic aspirations that pointed far beyond the Weimar order. Berlin was not just the centre of the November Revolution of 1918, but also the most important arena of the Second Revolution that followed. For the first time, the movement is analysed here in all its diversity and on the basis of a broad range of sources. Beside the workers' and factory councils, it also includes councils of students, women, the unemployed and intellectuals. Central events such as the 1919 general strike and the struggle against the Kapp Putsch of 1920 are also examined.

Table of Contents:
Foreword to the English Edition About the Author Abbreviations Introduction  The Subject, Its Historical Context and Its Significance  The Present State of Research  Methodology and Sources 1 The March 1919 General Strike in Berlin  The Course of Events – a Brief Outline  Strikes in the Other Regions  Objectives of the Leadership and Measures Taken  Cross-Regional Coordination  Pressure from Below: The Rank and File of the Movement  Official Strike Demands  Scope and Capacity for Mobilisation  Organisation of the Strike Movement  Citizens’ Council and General Strike  The Role of the Media  Street Fighting during the Strike  The Response of the Governments  Interim Conclusion 2 The Demonstration outside the Reichstag on 13 January 1920  The Opposition Is Forming  The Course of Events at the Demonstration  Consequences  Contradictory Interpretations  The Role of the Security Police and Military  Interim Conclusion 3 The Kapp-Lüttwitz Putsch and the Council Movement  Starting Shot from the Right: The Putsch  Backlash from the Left: The General Strike in Germany and Berlin  Workers’ Organisations: For and against the Councils  A Second Spring for the Councils? Reconstruction and Activities  Interim Conclusion 4 The Revolutionary Central Office of Factory Councils  Foundation and Organisational Structure  Programme  Rivalry with the Trade Unions  Interim Conclusion 5 Pupil Councils  A Special Case: Gustav Wyneken’s Attempt at Reform  The Starting Point: Vocational Schools and the Youth Workers’ Movement  Structure of the Pupil Councils  The School Strike in the Summer of 1919  Relationship to the ‘Actual’ Council Movement  Interim Conclusion 6 Unemployed Councils  Unemployment in Berlin  Organisational Development of the Unemployed Councils  Objectives and Activities  Relations with the Other Sections of the Workers’ Movement  Interim Conclusion 7 The ‘Political Council of Intellectual Workers’ 8 Women and the Council Movement  Contemporary Reflections on the Integration of Women into the Councils  Women in Council Practice  Interim Conclusion 9 The Council Policies of the Left Parties and Trade Unions  Origins and Contents of Article 165 of the Weimar Constitution and of the Factory Councils Act  Free Trade Unions: General German Trade Union Federation, DMV and AfA  SPD  KPD  USPD  Interim Conclusion 10 Summary and Conclusion  Aims and Concepts  Organisational Structures  Modes of Action  Relationship to the State  Council Movement and Revolution Bibliography Index