Guest Nathaniel Flakin, a communist tour guide, joins Megan and Konrad to discuss the 1918 November revolution in Germany and a play about it written by romcom star and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. They explore the significance of the German Revolution, mutinies in Germany, and the events of the November Revolution. They also analyze the portrayal of historical figures in the play and discuss Robert Habeck's role as a mediator in the Green Party.
The podcast highlights Friedrich Ebert's manipulation of the revolutionary movement and secret collaboration with the army during the 1918 November Revolution in Germany.
The play 'Nausicaä' by Robert Habeck reveals his skepticism towards democracy and belief in strong leadership through the manipulative character Nausicaä, reflecting his own political views.
The controversial nature of Habeck's play raises questions about its accuracy in depicting historical figures like Friedrich Ebert and Gustav Nauska, and also addresses Habeck's anti-communist stance and racially insensitive comments.
Deep dives
The German Revolution and the Role of Friedrich Ebert
The podcast episode explores the 1918 November Revolution in Germany and focuses on the role of Friedrich Ebert, who becomes the Chancellor after the Kaiser's abdication. It discusses how Ebert manipulates the revolutionary movement and forms a council of people's deputies while secretly conspiring with the army to quell the revolution.
The Play 'Nausicaä' by Robert Harbeck
The podcast discusses a play called 'Nausicaä' written by Robert Harbeck, a former communist party member who later joined the Green Party. The play is set during the German Revolution and features a manipulative character named Nausicaä, who is seen as a projection of Harbeck himself. The play portrays Nausicaä as a wily political figure, manipulating people and lying to gain power. It highlights Harbeck's skepticism towards democracy and his belief in the need for strong leadership.
Controversy and Criticisms
The podcast episode raises concerns about the controversial nature of Harbeck's play and his portrayal of historical figures such as Friedrich Ebert and Carl Arte. It suggests that the play may not present an accurate depiction of the German Revolution and questions Harbeck's intentions in writing it. The episode also touches on Harbeck's past views, including his anti-communist stance and racially insensitive comments, which further contribute to the controversy surrounding the play.
The January Fighting and Revolutionary Police Chief
In January 1919, there was a second uprising in Berlin known as the January Fighting or Spartacus Insurrection, led by hundreds of thousands of people. Amidst the chaos, the chief of police in Berlin, a socialist journalist, was proclaimed the revolutionary police president after storming the police headquarters with a group of armed workers. Despite protests from Ebert and his government, half a million people took to the streets to defend their revolutionary police chief, demanding a police force dedicated to the working class.
Gustav Nauska and the Keel Revolution
Gustav Nauska, a different social democrat known for his support of colonialism, played a significant role in the Keel Revolution. Nauska became the governor of Keel, being the first civilian to command an army. He was seen as a mediator between the revolutionaries and the government in Keel, advocating for stabilizing the situation. However, his actions were controversial, including the brutal suppression of the Spartacus revolution and the ordering of bombings on working-class homes, leading to several deaths. Nauska's role as the murder accomplice of Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht further exemplifies his controversial legacy.
In a special history episode, Megan and Konrad are joined by communist tour guide Nathaniel Flakin to discuss the 1918 November revolution in Germany, and a bizarre play about it written 15 years ago by none other than 2000s romcom star, Green Party bigwig, and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.
