Urgent Call for Unity
Encyclopedia
The "Urgent Call for Unity" (German: Dringender Appell für die Einheit) was an appeal by the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund
(ISK) to defeat the Nazis
. It was signed by nearly three dozen well-known German scientists, authors and artists in advance of the German federal election in July 1932.
(SPD) and the Communist Party
(KPD) in the Reichstag
election in order to prevent the National Socialists from gaining control of the government. The appeal was unsuccessful and Adolf Hitler
was later appointed chancellor, after which the Nazis were able to consolidate power
.
The appeal was published in the ISK's newspaper, Der Funke in response to the growing strength of the Nazi Party. Placards were also put up all over Berlin
.
was named Reichskanzler, the identical appeal was made to rally against Hitler in advance of the German federal election, March 1933. Placards appeared on February 14. This time, there were only 19 signatories, among them, Heinrich Mann and Käthe Kollwitz and her husband, Karl.The other signatories were Willi Eichler
, Karl Emonts, Hellmuth Falkenfeld, Kurt Großmann, E.J. Gumbel
, Theodor Hartwig, Maria Hodann, Käthe Kollwitz
, Karl Kollwitz, Robert Kuczynski, Otto Lehmann-Rußbüldt, Heinrich Mann
, Paul Oestreich
, August Siemsen, Minna Specht
, Erich Zeigner
. In addition, there was Anna Siemsen, sister of August Siemsen, as well as Marie Westphal-Krause and Karl Zwing. Körner lists only the first 16 names (see footnote 11), but the PDF file of Der Funke, Edition No. 321, p. 3 shows the additional three signatories.
, Berlin by Bernhard Rust
, a Nazi who became the acting head of the Prussia
n Ministry of Culture on February 2, 1933, and with that, curator of the Akademie. Rust insisted that their presence endangered the very existence of the Akademie.
Akademie president Max von Schillings
called a meeting of the entire Akademie that very evening, at which he announced the departure of Kollwitz and said that Mann would also have to quit, or he would, himself quit. The minutes of the meeting report that there were protests from members because Mann was not present, nor had he been invited. The meeting was interrupted so Mann could be called by telephone, after which the meeting was resumed and Mann's resignation was announced. There were protests, including one from Berlin
city planner Martin Wagner
, who then walked out. In the following days and months, numerous leading artists quit or were forced out of the institution. Alfons Paquet declared his solidarity in a letter on February 17. In March 1933, Paquet, Alfred Döblin
and Thomas Mann
, younger brother of Heinrich quit. In April, Ricarda Huch
quit. Max Liebermann
, Paul Mebes, Otto Dix
and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
quit in May 1933, after the Nazi book burnings
. In July 1937, Mies van der Rohe
, Ernst Barlach
and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
quit.
Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund
The Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund was a socialist split-off from the SPD during the Weimar Republic and was active in the German Resistance against Nazism.- History :...
(ISK) to defeat the Nazis
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
. It was signed by nearly three dozen well-known German scientists, authors and artists in advance of the German federal election in July 1932.
Background
The June 1932 appeal called for support of the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
(SPD) and the Communist Party
Communist Party of Germany
The Communist Party of Germany was a major political party in Germany between 1918 and 1933, and a minor party in West Germany in the postwar period until it was banned in 1956...
(KPD) in the Reichstag
Reichstag (Weimar Republic)
The Reichstag was the parliament of Weimar Republic .German constitution commentators consider only the Reichstag and now the Bundestag the German parliament. Another organ deals with legislation too: in 1867-1918 the Bundesrat, in 1919–1933 the Reichsrat and from 1949 on the Bundesrat...
election in order to prevent the National Socialists from gaining control of the government. The appeal was unsuccessful and Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
was later appointed chancellor, after which the Nazis were able to consolidate power
Machtergreifung
Machtergreifung is a German word meaning "seizure of power". It is normally used specifically to refer to the Nazi takeover of power in the democratic Weimar Republic on 30 January 1933, the day Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany, turning it into the Nazi German dictatorship.-Term:The...
.
The appeal was published in the ISK's newspaper, Der Funke in response to the growing strength of the Nazi Party. Placards were also put up all over Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
Text of the message
-
- U r g e n t A p p e a l !
-
- The annhiliation
of all personal and political freedom- in Germany is imminent, if there is not success at the last minute,
without prejudice to the principles of opposites, to consolidate
all forces that are united in the rejection of fascism. The next
opportunity for this is July 31st. It is imperative to use this
opportunity and finally take a step toward
- in Germany is imminent, if there is not success at the last minute,
- The annhiliation
-
- Building a united labor front,
- which is necessary not just for the parliamentary, rather for
additional defense as well. We're addressing everyone who
shares this conviction with us, to aid in this urgent call to
- which is necessary not just for the parliamentary, rather for
- Building a united labor front,
-
- Coalesce around the SPD
and KPD in this election,- best materializing in the form of joint candidate lists, however,
at least in the form of joint party listsParty-list proportional representationParty-list proportional representation systems are a family of voting systems emphasizing proportional representation in elections in which multiple candidates are elected...
. Not only in the political parties,
but especially in the large labor organizations, it is essential
to exert every conceivable influence. Let us ensure that no
sloth of nature or cowardice of heart allow us sink into barbarism!- Chi-yin Chen / Willi EichlerWilli EichlerWilli Eichler was a German journalist and politician with the Social Democratic Party of Germany .-Before 1945:Eichler was born in Berlin, the son of a postal worker. He attended Volksschule and then became a clerk...
/ Albert EinsteinAlbert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
/ Karl Emonts / Anton Erkelenz
Hellmuth Falkenfeld / Kurt Großmann / E[mil] J. GumbelEmil Julius GumbelEmil Julius Gumbel was a Jewish mathematician and political writer.Born in Munich, he graduated from the University of Munich shortly before the outbreak of the First World War...
/ Walter Hammer
Theodor Hartwig / Vitus Heller / Kurt HillerKurt HillerKurt Hiller also known as Keith Lurr and Klirr was a German essayist of high stylistic originality and a political journalist from a Jewish family. A socialist, he was deeply influenced by Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer, despising the philosophy of G. W. F...
/ Maria HodannAfter her emigration to Great Britain, Maria Hodann took the name Mary Saran. / Hanns-Erich
Kaminski / Erich KästnerErich KästnerEmil Erich Kästner was a German author, poet, screenwriter and satirist, known for his humorous, socially astute poetry and children's literature.-Dresden 1899–1919:...
/ Karl Kollwitz / Käthe KollwitzKäthe KollwitzKäthe Kollwitz was a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor whose work offered an eloquent and often searing account of the human condition in the first half of the 20th century...
/ Arthur KronfeldArthur KronfeldArthur Kronfeld was a German Psychiatrist.-1933 - 1941: Suppression and exile :...
E. Lauti / Otto Lehmann-Rußbüldt / Heinrich MannHeinrich MannLuiz Heinrich Mann was a German novelist who wrote works with strong social themes. His attacks on the authoritarian and increasingly militaristic nature of pre-World War II German society led to his exile in 1933.-Life and work:Born in Lübeck as the oldest child of Thomas Johann Heinrich Mann...
/ Pietro NenniPietro NenniPietro Sandro Nenni was an Italian socialist politician, the national secretary of the Italian Socialist Party and lifetime Senator since 1970. He was a recipient of the Stalin Peace Prize in 1951...
/ PaulPaul OestreichPaul Hermann August Oestreich was a German educator.Oestreich was born in Kolberg, within the German Empire's Prussian Province of Pomerania. He studied mathematics, philosophy, pedagogy, and new languages at the universities of Berlin and Greifswald from 1896-1900...
OestreichPaul OestreichPaul Hermann August Oestreich was a German educator.Oestreich was born in Kolberg, within the German Empire's Prussian Province of Pomerania. He studied mathematics, philosophy, pedagogy, and new languages at the universities of Berlin and Greifswald from 1896-1900...
/ Franz OppenheimerFranz OppenheimerFranz Oppenheimer was a German-Jewish sociologist and political economist, who published also in the area of the fundamental sociology of the state.-Personal life:...
/ Theodor PlivierTheodor PlievierTheodor Otto Richard Plievier was the German author of Stalingrad, , Moscow and Berlin ....
/ Freiherr von Schoenaich
August Siemsen / Minna SpechtMinna SpechtMinna Specht was a German educator, socialist and member of the German Resistance. She was one of the founders of the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund.- Early years :...
/ Helene StöckerHelene StöckerHelene Stöcker was a German feminist, pacifist and sexual reformer. Stöcker was raised in a Calvinist household and attended a school for girls which emphasized rationality and morality...
/ Ernst TollerErnst TollerErnst Toller was a left-wing German playwright, best known for his Expressionist plays and serving as President of the short-lived Bavarian Soviet Republic, for six days.- Biography :...
/ Graf Emil
WedelThis is probably the Graf Emil von Wedel from GroßenhainGroßenhainGroßenhain is a Große Kreisstadt in the district of Meißen, Saxony, Germany.-History:...
mentioned in "Bürgermeisterwahlen 1927 – ein historischer Exkurs". Retrieved July 8, 2010 / Erich ZeignerErich ZeignerErich Zeigner was Prime Minister of the German state of Saxony during the attempted communist uprising of 1923...
/ Arnold ZweigArnold ZweigArnold Zweig was a German writer and anti-war activist.He is best known for his World War I tetralogy.-Life and work:Zweig was born in Glogau, Silesia son of a Jewish saddler...
- Chi-yin Chen / Willi Eichler
- best materializing in the form of joint candidate lists, however,
- Coalesce around the SPD
Second attempt
On February 12, 1933, two weeks after Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
was named Reichskanzler, the identical appeal was made to rally against Hitler in advance of the German federal election, March 1933. Placards appeared on February 14. This time, there were only 19 signatories, among them, Heinrich Mann and Käthe Kollwitz and her husband, Karl.The other signatories were Willi Eichler
Willi Eichler
Willi Eichler was a German journalist and politician with the Social Democratic Party of Germany .-Before 1945:Eichler was born in Berlin, the son of a postal worker. He attended Volksschule and then became a clerk...
, Karl Emonts, Hellmuth Falkenfeld, Kurt Großmann, E.J. Gumbel
Emil Julius Gumbel
Emil Julius Gumbel was a Jewish mathematician and political writer.Born in Munich, he graduated from the University of Munich shortly before the outbreak of the First World War...
, Theodor Hartwig, Maria Hodann, Käthe Kollwitz
Käthe Kollwitz
Käthe Kollwitz was a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor whose work offered an eloquent and often searing account of the human condition in the first half of the 20th century...
, Karl Kollwitz, Robert Kuczynski, Otto Lehmann-Rußbüldt, Heinrich Mann
Heinrich Mann
Luiz Heinrich Mann was a German novelist who wrote works with strong social themes. His attacks on the authoritarian and increasingly militaristic nature of pre-World War II German society led to his exile in 1933.-Life and work:Born in Lübeck as the oldest child of Thomas Johann Heinrich Mann...
, Paul Oestreich
Paul Oestreich
Paul Hermann August Oestreich was a German educator.Oestreich was born in Kolberg, within the German Empire's Prussian Province of Pomerania. He studied mathematics, philosophy, pedagogy, and new languages at the universities of Berlin and Greifswald from 1896-1900...
, August Siemsen, Minna Specht
Minna Specht
Minna Specht was a German educator, socialist and member of the German Resistance. She was one of the founders of the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund.- Early years :...
, Erich Zeigner
Erich Zeigner
Erich Zeigner was Prime Minister of the German state of Saxony during the attempted communist uprising of 1923...
. In addition, there was Anna Siemsen, sister of August Siemsen, as well as Marie Westphal-Krause and Karl Zwing. Körner lists only the first 16 names (see footnote 11), but the PDF file of Der Funke, Edition No. 321, p. 3 shows the additional three signatories.
Immediate cultural repercussions
On February 15, 1933, the day after the new placards appeared, both Mann, then head of the poetry department, and Kollwitz were forced to withdraw from the Akademie der KünsteAkademie der Künste
The Akademie der Künste, Berlin is an arts institution in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1696 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg as the Prussian Academy of Arts, an academic institution where members could meet and discuss and share ideas...
, Berlin by Bernhard Rust
Bernhard Rust
Dr. Bernhard Rust was Minister of Science, Education and National Culture in Nazi Germany. A combination of school administrator and zealous Nazi, he issued decrees, often bizarre, at every level of the German educational system to immerse German youth in the National Socialist philosophy...
, a Nazi who became the acting head of the Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n Ministry of Culture on February 2, 1933, and with that, curator of the Akademie. Rust insisted that their presence endangered the very existence of the Akademie.
Akademie president Max von Schillings
Max von Schillings
Max von Schillings was a German conductor, composer and theatre director. He was chief conductor at the Berlin State Opera from 1919 to 1925....
called a meeting of the entire Akademie that very evening, at which he announced the departure of Kollwitz and said that Mann would also have to quit, or he would, himself quit. The minutes of the meeting report that there were protests from members because Mann was not present, nor had he been invited. The meeting was interrupted so Mann could be called by telephone, after which the meeting was resumed and Mann's resignation was announced. There were protests, including one from Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
city planner Martin Wagner
Martin Wagner (architect)
Martin Wagner was a German architect, city planner, and author, best known as the driving force behind the construction of modernist housing projects in interwar Berlin.- Germany :...
, who then walked out. In the following days and months, numerous leading artists quit or were forced out of the institution. Alfons Paquet declared his solidarity in a letter on February 17. In March 1933, Paquet, Alfred Döblin
Alfred Döblin
Alfred Döblin was a German expressionist novelist, best known for the novel Berlin Alexanderplatz .- 1878–1918:...
and Thomas Mann
Thomas Mann
Thomas Mann was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and 1929 Nobel Prize laureate, known for his series of highly symbolic and ironic epic novels and novellas, noted for their insight into the psychology of the artist and the intellectual...
, younger brother of Heinrich quit. In April, Ricarda Huch
Ricarda Huch
Ricarda Huch was a pioneering German intellectual. Trained as a historian, and the author of many works of European history, she also wrote novels, poems, and a play. Asteroid 879 Ricarda is named in her honour.- Life :...
quit. Max Liebermann
Max Liebermann
Max Liebermann was a German-Jewish painter and printmaker best known for his etching and lithography.-Biography:...
, Paul Mebes, Otto Dix
Otto Dix
Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix was a German painter and printmaker, noted for his ruthless and harshly realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. Along with George Grosz, he is widely considered one of the most important artists of the Neue Sachlichkeit.-Early life and...
and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff was a German expressionist painter and printmaker, and a member of Die Brücke.-Life and work:...
quit in May 1933, after the Nazi book burnings
Nazi book burnings
The Nazi book burnings were a campaign conducted by the authorities of Nazi Germany to ceremonially burn all books in Germany which did not correspond with Nazi ideology.-The book-burning campaign:...
. In July 1937, Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German architect. He is commonly referred to and addressed as Mies, his surname....
, Ernst Barlach
Ernst Barlach
Ernst Barlach was a German expressionist sculptor, printmaker and writer. Although he was a supporter of the war in the years leading to World War I, his participation in the war made him change his position, and he is mostly known for his sculptures protesting against the war...
and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a German expressionist painter and printmaker and one of the founders of the artists group Die Brücke or "The Bridge", a key group leading to the foundation of Expressionism in 20th century art. He volunteered for army service in the First World War, but soon suffered a...
quit.