Syndicalism and Anarcho-Syndicalism in Germany
Submitted by Juan Conatz on Dec 23 2010 10:34
The following text comprises an introduction to the development of German Syndicalism from its beginnings in 1890 until the end of its organized form in the early 1960s.
The emphasis of this introduction, however, centers on the period before and leading up to 1933, when the National Socialists under Adolf Hitler ascended to power. Syndicalism, and more specifically Anarcho-Syndicalism are movements that have been largely forgotten. This albeit superficial outline should, at its conclusion, show that this movement was not always so obscure and unknown.
Usinger, Georg, 1900-1990
Submitted by Battlescarred on Dec 2 2010 18:48
A short biography of Georg Usinger, German anarchist active in Offenbach
Georg (Schorsch in the local dialect) Usinger grew up in a large family in Taunus before moving to Offenbach as a teenager. Offenbach am Main had a big working class population with large membership of both the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party .
Wafner, Kurt, 1918-2007
Submitted by Battlescarred on Oct 7 2010 09:45
A short biography of German anarchist Kurt Wafner.
Kurt Wafner, was born on 25th November 1918, on the Franfurter Allee in Berlin during the height of the German Revolution. His family originally had the name Wawrzyniak and his ancestors were a mixture of Polish nobility and French Huguenot refugees. His father died in early 1923, and his mother had to eke out an existence.
Gültig, Karl, 1906-1992
Submitted by Battlescarred on Oct 6 2010 10:15
A short biography of the German anarchosyndicalist Karl Gültig.
Karl Gültig was born on 20th November 1906 in the city of Offenbach am Main near Frankfurt in Germany. As a teenager he joined the Communist Youth (KJ) youth organisation of the Communist Party (KPD).
Doster, Gustav aka Gustl 1904-1977
Submitted by Battlescarred on Apr 22 2009 16:57
Gustav Doster was a leading light in the anarchist movement in the Rhineland. He organised underground anarchist networks under Nazism and experienced the Spanish Revolution.
Gustav Doster’s father was a boiler maker, and a union militant and member of the Social Democratic Party. From 1919 until 1923 he worked as a lathe operator and then worked as an instructor of metal workers until 1933.
Friedetzky, Heinrich, 1910-1998
Submitted by Battlescarred on Apr 22 2009 16:38
Heinrich Friedetzky was a German anarchist who preserved his beliefs despite the experiences of Nazism, prison and concentration camps.
The last of eight children of a railway worker, Heinrich Friedetzky was born on 8th October 1910 at Bebra in the state of Hesse, Germany. His mother died in 1913, his father in 1920. From 1912 the family lived at Ratibor in Upper Silesia, now part of Poland, where Heinrich lived with his brothers, sisters and a stepmother.
Federn, Marietta aka Etta 1883- 1951
Submitted by Battlescarred on Jul 22 2008 08:29
A short biography of Etta Federn, German litterateur, anarchist and educationalist
Etta Federn was born in 1883 in Vienna, the youngest daughter of an assimilated Jewish family. She was the daughter of the suffragette Ernestine Federn and the doctor Salomon Federn and the sister of Paul, who became an analyst, Karl, who became a lawyer and writer, and Walter who became a journalist. She had an education on an equal footing with her brothers.
Nowak, Franz (1983-1945) aka Zigeuner (Gypsy)
Submitted by Battlescarred on Jul 18 2008 12:50
A short biography of Franz Nowak, German anarchist murdered by the Nazis
Franz Nowak was born on the 30th August 1983 in Kravarn in Upper Silesia. He worked as a bricklayer foreman in the summer on building sites throughout the area. From 1907 he was under surveillance from the political police as an anarchist. He was arrested several times, including during the Kaiser’s visits to Breslau (now Wroclaw) in 1909 and 1910.
Czakon, Paul (1896-1952) aka Max aka Maximo Mas
Submitted by Battlescarred on Jul 18 2008 12:47
A short biography of Paul Czakon, anarchist active in Upper Silesia who fought in Spain.
Paul Czakon was born on 14th July 1897 in Neider-Heiduk. He worked as a miner and fitter. Czakon was chairman of the FAUD in Beuthen (now Bytom) in Upper Silesia from 1921 and in 1930 he was one of the founders of the the Schwarzen Scharen (Black Crowds) in the region. In a house search in May 1932 the police discovered the weapons and explosives cache of the group.
Kater, Fritz (1861 - 1945)
Submitted by Battlescarred on Jul 17 2008 12:37
A short biography of Fritz Kater, important figure within FVdG and FAUD in Germany.
“Frank and direct in the presence of friends or enemies, he was one of those men who knew their limits; he was never blinded by ambition and honestly recognised the merits of others”. Rudolf
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