Ruhr Republic
[transcript]
In April 1920, a group of courageous men and women occupied Stoppenberg City Hall. What began as a response to the “Kapp Putsch” led to a revolution in the Ruhr region (then called the Ruhr Republic). After a short-lived but intense show of resistance from the reactionary propertied class and their loyal but unimaginative accomplices, the alliance of trade unionists (1), left-wing workers’ parties (2), and radicals succeeded in making their demands heard. During a general strike (3), the movement’s founders convinced the people that it was necessary to try out a different social system. The Ruhr Republic was thus founded.
Decision Square
Here on this square in 1958, the Ruhr Republic came to its most far-reaching decision, the “Pact of Faith in the Future”
Trade union = a former organizational form for “workers” to fight for their basic rights against “capitalists”.
Party = in the old world, in the Ruhr area there were also hierarchically organized associations that spoke for others in assemblies and parliaments. In addition to the parties referred to as left-wing, which represented the interests of the majority, who otherwise had no political power, there were also parties that stood up for those already rich and powerful, who wanted inequality to persist and grow.
Strike = in the old world, people were indirectly forced to work in the interest of others; their basic rights, such as housing and food, would be severely restricted if they did not comply. A strike was the wilful failure to fulfil this obligation
Progressia Centre for Political Education
Turn ahead to page 44.