Revolutionary Shop Stewards

A group of mostly trade unionists opposing the union leadership’s Burgfrieden policy, the political truce between the government and the social democrats. From 1916, they made underground preparations for the overthrow of the monarchy in Berlin armouries and led the masses to the streets on 9 November.

Most of the Revolutionary Stewards were USPD members, but had also managed to preserve their independence vis-à-vis the USPD leadership. Once the revolution began, they became a serious contender for power in Berlin.