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Fortified Democracy—The Reich Banner Black-Red-Gold and the Defense of the Weimar Republic

Location: German Bundestag, Paul-Löbe-Haus, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 1, 10557 Berlin-Mitte / A German Resistance Memorial Center exhibition in conjunction with the Reich Banner Black-Red-Gold—League of Active Democrats

With at least 1.5 million members, the Reich Banner Black-Red-Gold was the largest democratic organization in the Weimar Republic. It was founded in 1924. In the preceding years, the young republic had been attacked by extremists on the right and left. Political murders and attempted uprisings shook its democratic foundations.

The Reich Banner brought together unaffiliated activists and members of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the liberal German Democratic Party (DDP), and the Catholic Center Party (Zentrum). The association’s aim was to defend democracy against its enemies. The Reich Banner’s opponents were National Socialists, monarchists, and communists.

The Reich Banner worked to secure the first parliamentary democracy in Germany. One of its central tasks was to protect political assemblies and demonstrations. Another focus was on political education. Long before 1933, the pro-republican association called attention to the National Socialist threat to democracy.

Toward the end of the Weimar Republic, Reich Banner members became increasingly active against the Nazi movement. To defend against the Nazi party, the SPD, its associated mass organizations, and the Reich Banner formed the Iron Front alliance in 1931.

Even after 1933, numerous Reich Banner members were not prepared to submit to the National Socialists. They took part in the resistance against the dictatorship. After the end of the war, former Reich Banner members were concerned for Germans to feel responsible for a democratic society.

The exhibition addresses the history of the Reich Banner in four sections. The first focuses on the Reich Banner's foundation and aims, the second on the organization's activities in defense of the republic. The third chapter deals with Reich Banner members' resistance against National Socialism. The final chapter details the political careers of former Reich Banner members after the Second World War.

The exhibition draws on recent research findings and presents numerous previously unknown photos and documents.

Opening hours

The exhibition will be on display in the Paul Löbe Building atrium, Westpforte, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 1, 10557 Berlin, from September 26 to October 18, 2024. Visitors can attend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

To attend the exhibition, visitors must sign up via the registration form at least two working days in advance. Please note: You must give your full first and last names, date of birth, and telephone number in the form, along with the requested date and time of your visit. Visits can start at the beginning of any hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For all information and online registration, see: https://www.bundestag.de/ausstellung-reichsbanner-schwarz-rot-gold (German only).