Translated and edited by Andreas Weiland with Peter Light
The 1848 wave of worker rebellions that swept across Europe struck the German states with the March Revolution. While Richard Wagner and Mikhail Bakunin fought side by side in Dresden, the writer August Brass led the successful defense of the barricades in Berlin's Alexanderplatz public square. Published in English for the first time, On the Barricades of Berlin provides a riveting firsthand account of this uprising. Brass’ testimony begins with the tumultuous events leading up to the revolution: the peaceful democratic agitation; the demands that were brought to the king; and the key actors involved on all sides of the still peaceful, yet tense, struggle. It then follows the events that led to the outbreak of resistance to the forces of order and sheds light on the aftermath of the fighting once the exhausted Prussian army withdrew from the city.
About the Contributors
August Brass (1818–76) was a German journalist, editor, and novelist and a member of the Doctor's Club of Hegelian enthusiasts along with Karl Marx.
Andreas Weiland is a renowned German translator and art and film critic.
Peter Light is an activist, practitioner of permaculture, and "hippy homesteader" in British Columbia.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Peter Light
Introduction by Andreas Weiland
The Barricades of Berlin by August Brass
Preface
Part I: Start of 1848 to March 11: Thunderclouds on the Horizon
Part II: March 12-17: The Course is Set
Part III: March 17: The Turning Point Interlude: A Personal Moment of Memory and Emotion
Part IV: March 18: To the Barricades!
Part V: Evening, March 18th: The Second Phase of the Fighting
Part VI: Night, March 18-19: The Third Phase of the Fighting
Part VII: Morning, March 19: The Red Dawn of Freedom
Part VIII: March 19: Peace! Peace!
Part IX: Morning, March 20: Liberation of the Polish Prisoners
Part X: March 21: The King Rides the Streets
Part XI: March 22: The Funeral Part
XII: March 22: Closing Words of Wisdom and Inspiration
Commentary by Andreas Weiland
Epilogue by Andreas Weiland
Last Words by Peter Light
August Heinrich Brass