Resignation of the Aktionsausschuss of the Communist Soviet Republic, 27 April 1919

On 27 April, the 15-member "Aktionsausschuss" (Action Committee), the most important governmental body of the Communist Soviet Republic, resigned. This event took place at a meeting of the workers’ and soldiers' councils. It was preceded by a serious conflict between supporters and opponents of negotiations with the Hoffmann government. In particular, Ernst Toller (1893-1939), commander of the Red Army at Dachau, advocated talks. Hardliners, such as Rudolf Egelhofer (1886-1919) and Eugen Leviné (1883-1919), who wanted to ready the Red Army and prepared themselves for armed combat against the approaching government troops, were in opposition.

With the resignation of the Aktionsausschuss, the Communists under Leviné and Max Levien (1885-1937) lost authority in Munich. An "executive committee of the works and soldiers' councils" announced this withdrawal and at the same time the election of a new Aktionsausschuss in the Hofbräuhaus the next day. The new Aktionsausschuss was entirely composed of persons who had not participated in either of the two previous Soviet governments. The Action Committee now agreed in principle with Ernst Toller, who had also resigned.

However, the Red Army did not accept the new Soviet government. The leadership of the army solely relied on military means for the defence of the Soviet Republic. It was too late to reach an agreement anyway: on 30 April, the Aktionsausschuss sent a radio message to Bamberg, asking for negotiations. However, the Hoffmann government no longer showed any interest.

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