Eugen Leviné, assassinated on this day in 1919, was a German revolutionary communist who briefly led the Bavarian Council Republic, giving luxury apartments to the homeless and factories to the workers during his short reign in power.

Eugen Levine was born to wealthy Jewish parents in St Petersberg, Russia, and became exposed to radical politics after moving to Heidelberg, Germany at a young age. In 1905, Leviné returned to Russia to participate in the failed revolution of 1905 against the Tsar and was arrested and exiled to Siberia.

After World War I ended, Leviné joined the Communist Party of Germany and helped to create a socialist republic in Bavaria. Leviné eventually rose to power as the communists assumed control of the government.

He attempted to pass many reforms, such as giving the more luxurious flats to the homeless and giving workers control and ownership of factories. Leviné also planned reforms for the education system and to abolish paper money, but did not get the chance to complete either.

The German Army, assisted by the right-wing Freikorps paramilitary invaded and quickly conquered Munich on May 3rd, 1919. Leviné himself was arrested and shot by firing squad in Stadelheim Prison.

Ex-Soviet agent Whitaker Chambers cited Leviné as an inspirational figure, writing “During the Bavarian Council Republic in 1919, Leviné was the organiser of the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Soviets. When the Bavarian Council Republic was crushed, Leviné was captured and court-martialed. The court-martial told him: “You are under sentence of death.” Leviné answered: ‘We Communists are always under sentence of death.’”

Eugen Levine - Spartacus

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  • Maturin [any]@hexbear.net
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    4 days ago

    Non-profits ARE for profit. The distinction about non-profits is just about where the profits go and what taxes they are subject to. Nonprofits just don’t have shareholders who have a right to keep the profits but they are still profit-based businesses.

    • DragonBallZinn [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.net
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      4 days ago

      I see, it was my idea that nonprofits really just met “as long as we’re achieving our goals and not running at a loss, we’re good.”

      Personally, I’m only working such a job since it was the only place that even bothered to respond and it looks like they have their own bugs up their asses about refusing anything less than the best of the best employees, and all part of a skeleton crew.

      • Maturin [any]@hexbear.net
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        4 days ago

        It’s definitely exhibit infinity of Americans applying a very deceptive label to something to make it sound better than it actually is.