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Germany 1918-1933: Socialism or Barbarism
Germany 1918-33 was one of the most tumultuous periods in history. Following the revolution in Russia, the German workers and soldiers attempted to seize power in November 1918. Unfortunately, the revolution was betrayed by the Social Democratic leaders.
Further revolutionary convulsions rocked Germany from 1919 to 1923. By this time, a mass Communist Party had been formed, but following advice from Zinoviev and Stalin, a classical revolutionary opportunity in 1923 was missed.
This was a blow, not only in Germany, but internationally. The German defeats served to strengthen the grip of the Stalinist bureaucracy in Russia. This resulted in zig-zags of policy between opportunism and ultra-leftism, which paved the way for the ‘Third Period’ with the Social Democrats regarded as the main enemy.
With the rise of fascism, Leon Trotsky described Germany in 1931 as “the key to the international situation”. “On the direction in which the solution of the German crisis develops will depend not only the fate of Germany herself (and that is already a great deal), but also the fate of Europe, the destiny of the entire world, for many years to come,” he explained.
Trotsky called for a United Front against fascism, but this was rejected by the Stalinists. This paved the way for the victory of the Nazis, leading to the Holocaust and the Second World War with its 55 million dead.
In this book, Rob Sewell argues that all this was not inevitable, and analyses those events, drawing out the lessons for today.
Further revolutionary convulsions rocked Germany from 1919 to 1923. By this time, a mass Communist Party had been formed, but following advice from Zinoviev and Stalin, a classical revolutionary opportunity in 1923 was missed.
This was a blow, not only in Germany, but internationally. The German defeats served to strengthen the grip of the Stalinist bureaucracy in Russia. This resulted in zig-zags of policy between opportunism and ultra-leftism, which paved the way for the ‘Third Period’ with the Social Democrats regarded as the main enemy.
With the rise of fascism, Leon Trotsky described Germany in 1931 as “the key to the international situation”. “On the direction in which the solution of the German crisis develops will depend not only the fate of Germany herself (and that is already a great deal), but also the fate of Europe, the destiny of the entire world, for many years to come,” he explained.
Trotsky called for a United Front against fascism, but this was rejected by the Stalinists. This paved the way for the victory of the Nazis, leading to the Holocaust and the Second World War with its 55 million dead.
In this book, Rob Sewell argues that all this was not inevitable, and analyses those events, drawing out the lessons for today.
695 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 6, 2026
It rly amazed me how extremely similar the processes between revolutions in russia and germany were. however the bolsheviks when faced with very similar situations in the class struggle reacted completely different than the unexperienced kpd and therefore were able to bring the revolutionary situation to victory whereas the kpd committed blunder after blunder with devastating consequences. therefore i‘d recommend reading „bolshevism“ by alan woods first in order to better understand the underlying processes, correct tactics and strategies needed to be taken. definitely one of the best wellred books and i should have read it sooner
April 6, 2026
I didn’t know it was possible to get that pissed off while reading a book, but I guess I’ve realized it is.
The book does a great job recounting the most important events in post-World War I Germany, and the defeats after defeats and mistakes after mistakes of the KPD and Comintern leadership were infuriating to read—especially considering that the whole course of human history was at stake in this period.
A Soviet Germany would have meant, for sure, the victory of Bolshevism, of the world socialist revolution, and we would probably have been living under communism for quite some time by now.
But unfortunately, in the negative, this whole book demonstrates the correctness of the ideas and tactics of Marx, Engels, and especially Lenin and Trotsky.
The workers’ councils— Die Arbeiter- und Soldatenräte—could have easily taken power and swept the counter-revolutionaries off the face of Germany, including the future “Führer,” Hitler.
The criminal policies of Stalin, and the ultra-left mistakes of Zinoviev and others, were paid for at a very high price.
It was especially infuriating to realize just how easily Nazism could have been avoided—that the worst crimes of fascist barbarism could have been prevented, and the Nazis crushed by the strongest labour movement of the time, through a united front.
To all revolutionaries: please read this book. You will learn a great deal—crucial lessons for the future, to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The book does a great job recounting the most important events in post-World War I Germany, and the defeats after defeats and mistakes after mistakes of the KPD and Comintern leadership were infuriating to read—especially considering that the whole course of human history was at stake in this period.
A Soviet Germany would have meant, for sure, the victory of Bolshevism, of the world socialist revolution, and we would probably have been living under communism for quite some time by now.
But unfortunately, in the negative, this whole book demonstrates the correctness of the ideas and tactics of Marx, Engels, and especially Lenin and Trotsky.
The workers’ councils— Die Arbeiter- und Soldatenräte—could have easily taken power and swept the counter-revolutionaries off the face of Germany, including the future “Führer,” Hitler.
The criminal policies of Stalin, and the ultra-left mistakes of Zinoviev and others, were paid for at a very high price.
It was especially infuriating to realize just how easily Nazism could have been avoided—that the worst crimes of fascist barbarism could have been prevented, and the Nazis crushed by the strongest labour movement of the time, through a united front.
To all revolutionaries: please read this book. You will learn a great deal—crucial lessons for the future, to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
January 23, 2020
A Marxist analysis of the rise of Hitler and fascism. A must read as history which arms us for struggle against the forces of barbarism, and with out which a complete understanding of the second world war is impossible.
September 25, 2025
So so relevant to today. It has truly helped me understand the origins of fascism and the differences between the 1930s and today. Most importantly: Hitler's rise to power could only take place after a decade of opportunities were given to the working class to first take power. These opportunities were _solely_ squandered by the leadership of Stalin and the reformist Social Democrats.
Reading this book it is clear that the task for us today is neither to enter into underground work not to buckle down for decades of barbarism. Instead our task is to prepare the forces of revolution so that this time around we don't miss our shot to end this sick system of capitalism once and for all 🎯
Reading this book it is clear that the task for us today is neither to enter into underground work not to buckle down for decades of barbarism. Instead our task is to prepare the forces of revolution so that this time around we don't miss our shot to end this sick system of capitalism once and for all 🎯
May 31, 2022
Rob Sewer continues the beautiful tradition of Lord Keynes of weaving stories to show how Socialism is the only path, and how Socialism always fails because of Satanic intervention from outside, never because of itself.
If you care about what happened, maybe other books are more interesting.
If you care about mesmerizing your friends into joining the Revolution, this is one of the better ones.
If you care about what happened, maybe other books are more interesting.
If you care about mesmerizing your friends into joining the Revolution, this is one of the better ones.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews