Gefangenschaft, Revolution, Heimkehr: Die Bedeutung Der Kriegsgefangenenproblematik Fur Die Geschichte Des Kommunismus in Mittel Und Osteuropa 1917-1920 (German Edition)

Uncover a pivotal, yet often overlooked, chapter in the history of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe with "Gefangenschaft, Revolution, Heimkehr: Die Bedeutung Der Kriegsgefangenenproblematik Fur Die Geschichte Des Kommunismus in Mittel Und Osteuropa 1917-1920" (German Edition) by Hannes Leidinger and Verena Moritz. This meticulously researched and compellingly argued hardcover delves into the profound impact of World War I prisoners of war on the rise of Communism in the tumultuous years of 1917-1920. Based on over five years of intensive archival research in Russian and Austrian repositories, Leidinger and Moritz present a groundbreaking reevaluation of the political significance of prisoner-of-war issues during this revolutionary epoch. They challenge conventional narratives by demonstrating that the presence of hundreds of thousands of German, Austrian, and Hungarian soldiers held captive within the dissolving Romanov Empire was inextricably linked to the outbreak of the Russian Civil War. This book argues that the repatriation efforts, prisoner associations, and returning soldiers' leagues, both within and outside the Bolshevik sphere of influence, formed the very nucleus of the nascent Communist International. The authors illuminate how these POWs, many disillusioned by the war and exposed to revolutionary ideas, became fertile ground for Communist recruitment and played a crucial role in spreading the ideology across Central and Eastern Europe. "Gefangenschaft, Revolution, Heimkehr" offers a fresh perspective on the early development of Communism, moving beyond traditional analyses focused solely on internal political dynamics within Russia. It highlights the transnational dimensions of the revolution, emphasizing the crucial role played by the movement of people and ideas across borders through the vehicle of wartime captivity. This German-language edition provides an in-depth examination of the organizational structures that emerged to manage the repatriation process and the political maneuvering that characterized the interactions between various factions vying for control over the returning soldiers. Leidinger and Moritz paint a vivid picture of the complex social and political landscape of the era, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the forces that shaped the rise of Communism in the aftermath of World War I. With its rigorous scholarship, compelling arguments, and wealth of previously untapped archival material, "Gefangenschaft, Revolution, Heimkehr" is an essential resource for scholars and anyone interested in the history of Communism, World War I, and the Russian Revolution. This book offers an innovative and thought-provoking contribution to our understanding of a transformative period in European history. This extensive research provides critical insights into the political and social conditions of the time. Readers gain a better understanding of the complex relationship between war, revolution, and ideological transformation.