A Demonstration in Favour of the Preservation of the Soviet System on Ludwigstraße in Munich, 16 February 1919

After the state elections and the victory of the bourgeois parties had sent a clear signal in the direction of parliamentary democracy, the increasingly radicalised councils tried to set an example for the preservation of the soviet system. On 16 February, shortly before the convocation of the newly-elected State Parliament on 21 February, a demonstration in favour of the preservation of the soviet system took place in Munich. 15,000 people took part in the march from Theresienwiese through the city centre.

On the photo of an unknown amateur photographer of the demonstration in Ludwigstraße, Prime Minister Kurt Eisner (1867-1919) can be seen sitting in his car. Eisner had taken the count by the election defeat and tried to increase his popularity among the masses by taking over the leadership of the demonstration to ensure his political survival. However, it did not work, since some of the demonstrators reproached him for his ambivalent attitude to the soviet system. They also accused the Mehrheitssozialdemokraten, who were part of his cabinet, of wanting to abolish the councils as soon as possible.

Behind Eisner's car a demonstrator marched with a sign on which "The reaction marches! A cheer for the Soviet System!" is to be read. Historical research interprets the sign controversially. On the one hand, it is seen as evidence of Eisner's support for the soviet movement, since the statement is linked to his person on the photo. On the other hand, it is regarded as evidence of Eisner's rejection at the demonstration. The demonstrator continuously remained behind Eisner's car and can be seen in several photographs.

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