Thread by @MikeStuchbery_

The 15th of January, 2019, sees the centenary of the deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht in Berlin. For those of you who are unaware of these two, here's why they matter. 1/ THREAD

Karl Liebknecht was the son of one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, or ‘SPD’, born in 1871 - the year of German statehood. With a background in the law, he became a member of the Reichstag, representing the party. /2

Rosa Luxemburg was born in Poland, also in 1871. She was a member of socialist parties from her early youth and studied history & political science Switzerland, gaining a doctorate - she was, for her time, a real trailblazer. /3

Both Karl and Rosa were heavy proponents of the ideas of Karl Marx, and the idea that revolution was the only means of not only ending class oppression, but the wars brought about by militarism, imperialism & nationalism. /3

Karl and Rosa met in Berlin, as both were members and employed by the SPD. When the First World War was declared, both were horrified at the slaughter that was unleashed by Europe's squabbling powers. /4

In 1916, Karl and Rosa helped form the 'Spartakusbund’ or Spartacus League, that agitated for end to the war, rejected the rhetoric of nationalism, and sought to bring workers to revolution. /5

The Spartacus League released a number of pamphlets and materials that circulated throughout Berlin's working neighbourhoods - illegally, I may add. Both Karl & Rosa were imprisoned - Karl sent to Russia to fight for a time. /6

When Germany was forced to sign the Armistice in November 1918, and the Emperor abdicated, both Karl and Rosa were released from prison. They would later lead the Spartacus League as it formed the Communist Party of Germany, or ‘KPD’, the following month. /7

The first year of what we now call the 'Weimar Republic’ was fraught, with rival groups vying for control, and the government struggling to maintain calm. Throughout this year, the KPD pushed for a worker's revolution, publishing a newspaper, 'Die Rote Fahne' or The Red Flag. /8

When things came to a head in January 1919 - centred on anger in Berlin over the sacking of the police chief, as leaders of the Spartacus League, Karl & Rosa had no choice but to push ahead, although both thought it not the right time. /9

From the 5th of January 1919, significant parts of Berlin were taken over by thousands of armed KPD members, who fortified the area with whatever came to hand. A revolutionary council was convened, although it struggled to come up with a platform. /10

Frustrated, the KPD entered into negotiations with the government, but these were quickly halted as there was little to compromise on. Meanwhile, the government entered into an alliance with right-wing 'Freikorps’ - groups of ex-soldiers - to crush the rebellion. /11

Fighting took place from the 8th to the 15th of January, with over a hundred killed as street by street was cleared by the Freikorps. Rosa and Karl were captured on that last day. /12

Nobody knows the exact sequence of what happened next, but both were arrested by Freikorps, possibly tortured, then shot. Karl's body turned up in a morgue, while Rosa was dumped in the Landswehr canal. /13

With the death of Rosa and Karl, the KPD and the Left across Europe lost charismatic and thoughtful leaders that were building an approach to Marxist thought, distinct from the Bolsheviks in Russia. What they could have achieved, we will never know. /14

The death of Rosa and Karl also symbolises the ugliness that coloured the German transition to democracy. Many cheered the Freikorps putting down the uprising. Others were incredibly scornful of Gustav Noske of the SPD, who made the alliance. This division would last. /15

Finally, while the deaths of Karl and Rosa were two of millions caused in struggles involving nationalist forces, they were a prominent duo in advocating for a move away from such destructive thought. They saw the rhetoric of nationalism as a weapon to divide us all. /16

Today, Karl and Rosa are seen as martyrs by the Left. With the centenary of fheir deaths tomorrow, there have been marches, and there will be a number of events in Berlin and beyond, recognizing their contribution to modern political thought. /17  

If you'd like to know more about Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, this is a great episode of @bbcinourtime that particularly focuses on Rosa. Thanks for reading, and rest in power, Karl & Rosa! /FIN