Date of Birth: August 13, 1871
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: January 15, 1919
Biography
Karl Liebknecht was a prominent German socialist and anti-militarist who played a significant role in the early 20th century political landscape of Germany. Born into a politically active family, Liebknecht was the son of Wilhelm Liebknecht, a co-founder of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). He pursued law and economics at university, which laid the foundation for his political career. Liebknecht was a vocal critic of militarism and was particularly known for his opposition to World War I, which he saw as an imperialist conflict. His anti-war stance led to his expulsion from the SPD, after which he co-founded the Spartacist League, which eventually became the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). Liebknecht’s political activities were often met with harsh repression from the authorities. He was imprisoned multiple times, including a notable period during World War I for his anti-war agitation. Following the war, he played a pivotal role in the German Revolution of 1918-1919, advocating for a socialist republic. Unfortunately, his revolutionary activities made him a target, and he was assassinated in January 1919, a tragic end that underscored the turbulent political climate of post-war Germany.
5 Interesting Facts about Karl Liebknecht
1. Karl Liebknecht was one of the few members of the Reichstag who voted against war credits during World War I, taking a firm stand against the war.
2. He was a co-founder of the Spartacist League, which later became the Communist Party of Germany (KPD).
3. Liebknecht was imprisoned for his anti-war stance during World War I, serving a sentence from 1916 to 1918.
4. He played a significant role in the German Revolution of 1918-1919, which aimed to establish a socialist government in Germany.
5. Liebknecht was assassinated by right-wing paramilitary forces on January 15, 1919, alongside his fellow revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Karl Liebknecht
1. “The main enemy of every people is in their own country.”
2. “Imperialism means the domination of finance capital.”
3. “Class struggle is the law of life of the capitalist world.”
4. “Down with the war! Down with the government!”
5. “We are under the spell of the greatest sorcerer of all times, the spell of the market.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Karl Liebknecht did not amass personal wealth; his highest “net worth” was his significant influence in socialist and communist movements.
Children
Karl Liebknecht had three children: Wilhelm Liebknecht (named after his grandfather), Robert Liebknecht, and Vera Liebknecht.
Relevant Links
1. [Karl Liebknecht – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Liebknecht
2. [Spartacist League – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Spartacus-League
