Overview
The history of communism in Germany spans from the mid-19th century to the present day, encompassing revolutionary movements, political parties, and governing regimes. Its roots lie in the radical wing of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), which, under the influence of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels grew into the world's largest and most influential socialist party before World War I. The SPD's support for the war in 1914 caused a decisive split that led first to the formation of Spartacus League and ultimately to the founding of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in December 1918.