Militarism...Impedes...Progress In Civilization, Liebknecht

• Militarism long oppossed by pacifist groups in Europe


• groups had predominantly middle class and politically left wing membership


• they caught public interest, but were of limited political influence


• Germany- Social Democratic Party established anti-militaristic movement in 1890's


• Marxists sharply differentiate themselves from pascifists in:


• belief of necessity to overthrow capitalist class by force


• appeal to the working class


• However, they were in agreement with the pascifists on the deploring effects of militarism on society


• Social Democratic spokesman for anti-militarism was Karl Liebknecht


• His books were confiscated by German authorities in 1907


• Convicted of high treason for injuring the morale of the army and advocating its abolition


• He served 18 months in prison


• WWI increased Liebknecht's radicalism


• Met a violent death in turmoil of post war Germany as the leader of the Sparticist Revolt