ABSTRACT
The split in the German labour movement had a more profound significance than in any other European country. The question became urgent when, in the spring of 1945, the defeat of Hitler's Germany became only a question of time. With the fall of Fascism close, the Socialists faced the problem of rebuilding the labour movement to carry out its tasks in the new Germany which would rise from the ruins. The Social Democrats' appeal was for the party to aim at forming the new Germany on a truly Socialist basis: 'Democracy in state and community, Socialism in economy and society'. Otto Grotewohl went on to develop the idea of how he saw the historical destiny of Social Democracy in the new Germany. The Austrian Social Democratic party will consult together with the Communist party in fraternal affection and they will work together as equals in the establishment of the new republic.
