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Historical Flags 1863-1980 (Social Democratic Party, Germany)

Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD

Introduction
Historical Flags 1953-1961
- Young Socialists in the SPD 1945-1961 (Jungsozialisten in der SPD, Jusos)
Historical Flags 1961 Pattern

See also:

Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, Germany)
Political Parties (Germany)
Germany

Introduction

Sources: Rabbow 1965 and Rabbow 1970.

Marcus Schmöger, 6 October 2001

The SPD in its early days (1863-1933) used basically two types of flags:

plain red flags
red flags with interlocked hands, oak wreaths, mottoes like "freedom, equality, fraternity" or "unity makes strength" and similar symbols of solidarity.

These latter type flags actually were Fahnen (Colours) of the local SPD organizations and varied much in the actual pattern. Many of these Fahnen of the local branches are still in existence, many having been made in the 1950's.

After 1945 the SPD reverted to its traditional red flags, usually containing the initials of the party in different font types. Especially striking was a campaign rally in 1953 in Frankfurt, when 104 brand new flags with black-edged golden letters 'SPD' were marched into the hall. However, this was too much red for the common public fearing the communists. So the colour red, and especially the display of red flags decreased significantly since then.

Marcus Schmöger, 6 October 2001