Karl Schröder (German politician)

Karl Schröder (1884 – 1950) was a German politician, writer, and communist theorist. He was a key figure in the development of left-wing movements in Germany during the early 20th century.

Schröder joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) before World War I. He became increasingly critical of the SPD's reformist approach and its support for the war. During the war, he became a prominent figure in the anti-war movement.

Following the war, Schröder was involved in the Spartacist League and later a founding member of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). He held various positions within the KPD, including serving as a member of the Prussian Landtag.

Schröder developed his own unique brand of communism, often referred to as "National Bolshevism." This ideology sought to combine elements of communism with German nationalism. He argued that the focus of communist revolution should be on national liberation and the creation of a socialist nation-state.

Due to his controversial views, Schröder became increasingly marginalized within the KPD. He was expelled from the party in 1930. After his expulsion, he continued to write and advocate for his political ideas.

During the Nazi era, Schröder was persecuted for his communist past. He survived the war and, after 1945, attempted to re-establish himself in the political landscape of post-war Germany, but his earlier affiliations and controversial theories hindered his success.

His writings are still studied today for their insights into the complexities of German political thought in the early 20th century and for their contribution to the development of National Bolshevism.