The German Soviet Republic
The German Soviet Republic is a state under the leadership of Heinrich Brandler.
History:
With The Soviet Union close with their Puppet Polish State, now bordering the Weimar Republic, by 1920. This emboldened German communists to once again start a revolution similar to 1919, thinking the Soviets would support them and rise victorious.
As the Weimar Republic continued to implode, with strikes and political violence intensifying throughout the country. The German Right and France and Britain grew increasingly fearful of a communist revolution, one of these men were reactionary, Wolfgang Kapp. This resulted in the later Kapp Putsch in March 1920, where the Marinebrigade Ehrhardt overthrew the Weimar Republic, as Freikorps units across the country switched allegiances.
Freikorps units began trying to impose Wolfgang Kapp's martial law and as he restored The German Empire, sparking uprisings across the country.
Heinrich Brandler with backing of The Communist Party Of Germany rallied a soviet government in his hometown on March 19, 1920, from there gaining more forces and seizing the province of Saxony, declaring, "The Saxony Soviet State". Paul Levi was freed in the chaos, joining him, along with other members of USPD and SPD.
While most of the Western uprisings were crushed, in the East Germany it was falling to anarchy as call to arms from the KPD were advancing quickly to the Capital. By May 10, 1920 the Communist's under Paul Levi in controlling most of the east, proclaimed The German Soviet Republic by forceful taking Berlin.
An official civil war began, between The German Empire Controlling the west, and The German Soviet Republic Controlling the East.
Civil War and Ceasefire:
The KPD entered into a government coalition with the exiled USPD, led by Arthur Crispien. Paul Levi supported the idea of a united front with more parties like the SPD within The Berlin Soviet. Tensions between Heinrich Brandler and Paul Levi heightened, as he allowed other socialist parties to join the government, and operate with limited supervision.
Heinrich believed, Paul was selling the KPD out, and he began leading a hardliner faction, promising to purge elements that have 'infected' the party and the regime.
With Vladimir Lenin supporting his faction by 1921, Paul was pressured into resigning and being replaced with Heinrich Brandler who shifted to align the party more to Leninist Lines as he started purging many within the party.
As the Civil War progressed, it remained a stalemate and there early use of tench warfare, despite concerns from Moscow of the German Red Army being too aggressive. The threatening ultimatum sent by the West to The Soviet Union, declaring if The German Empire fell to communism in Europe, they will all declare war. Did not seem to scare the GSR more so, to fight harder.
This was mainly due to a prevailing belief, that if another world war broke out due to their civil war, The Soviet Union would protect them and felt secured, despite its fragile international standing. Within the KPD itself, the reason they ignored many of Moscow's concerns is that they were fears of if they did not stay on the offensive it would show it was failing, similar to the revolution in 1919.
For example, a slogan, arose called, "Bloody Week Will Be Avenged!" in the early years of the civil war referencing the failed Spartacist uprising. The Communist Party Of Germany we're known to use this to rally support for the Civil War, completely siding for an aggressive military approach.
Heinrich Brandler's press for more aggressive tactics clashed with Lenin's more cautious approach.
The Soviet Union further increased in its caution, after The Franco-British Union sent that telegram ultimatum. Heinrich's frustration's with Moscow's hesitation intensified, writing, "A defensive strategy, suggested by Comrade Lenin, is not going to light the fire of the revolution burning in Germany. While, I thank him for his Soviet aid, he must understand the current solution to our deadlock in our civil war is to keep attacking the wall's, not wait. We intend to keep those under the reactionary monarchy on their toes, we will not rest until Germany is reunited and free from the chain's of Capitalism. I believe, the West is buffing with that ultimatum, they won’t dare risk world war in the state of this ruined world."
However, by, 1922 both nations, exhausted by war as the stalemate had worsened their economic situation and proclaimed a ceasefire. Germany is now split between the monarchy west and the communist east. The Soviets, allowed all of their former lands lost to Poland to be given back.
Lenin believed by doing so, he could crush polish nationalism to further weaken his puppet Polish state The Polish Socialist Republic to eventually annex, and make and build an ally of Germany to help then be a wall against counter-revolution.
By 1923, Heinrich Brandler has centralized power, sidling the USPD and other KPD opposition members, building his vision of a Socialist Germany along with the Soviets, and is now a 'dictator' until if the party wishes to remove him.
Internal Politics:
The GSR, was at first somewhat democratic, sharing power with The USPD while also working with the SPD at arms length. They nationalized land, and rebranded the Reichstag into "The German Soviet" in Berlin. It was meant, to serve as the successor to abolished Reichstag in the west under Kapp's martial law period, while at the same time tearing the down the failed memories of the Weimar Republic.
The German Soviet, had two only parties' The KPD and The USPD. Only through approval of The Communist Party Of Germany a party could run in election's that were held every 3 year's. Freedom of Speech was allowed but limited to a decree, like the exiled SPD, which was allowed to operate but barred from running.
After Heinrich Brandler came into power in 1921, The GSR became increasing authoritarian. 'The German Soviet' under control of The KPD began changing the election rules, sideling The USPD. Heinrich also began purging member's to weaken Levi's influence to prevent him returning to leadership, and replaced them with loyalists, there are a few left like Christof Kohnstamm. Crackdowns doubled by the Civil War's end in the beginning of 1922, including a ban of the SPD, forcing the party to flee back West. However, quickly, found a place in the now Semi-Constitutional monarchy of West Germany after it lifted martial law, allowing it to run in the new Reichstag located in Frankfurt.
By 1923, Heinrich is unofficially a strongman dictator of The GSR, backed by the majority within The German Soviet, with his rivals either are two weak to stop him or too afraid to speak out.
Rival Political Factions in The Berlin Soviet:
Revolutionary Unionists/Democratic Socialists: Lead by Christof Kohnstamm(Fictional Character, not Historical) or Arthur Crispien. They are current trying to take back control of the party often, working together despite differences, to push a more moderate vision of socialism.
Luxemburg Fellowers: Although their influence is small, there are still some who support Paul Levi. They, led by Paul Frölich, hope to restore Germany to Rosa Luzemburgs vision, they have some members within the USPD.
German Reunification:
If The German Soviet Republic defeats The German Empire when Civil War, reignites. If Heinrich is in charge, Arbeiter-Marseillaise will be played over radio, across Germany.
If any of the Opposition factions with The Berlin Soviet, take control before reunification, Auf, auf zum Kampf! will be played instead, over radio.
Both outcomes, will lead them to rebuild and questions about party policy and their relationship with Moscow will be raised.
Territories
Religion
State Atheism
Foreign Relations
Worker's Of The World Unite!
Papiermark
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