Wilhelm Liebknecht , 1826-1900, German socialist leader and journalist. His participation in the revolution in Germany in 1848-49 forced him into exile, and he lived in England until 1862. While there he became associated with Karl Marx . Although greatly influenced by Marx, he disagreed with him on many fundamental principles of socialism. Upon his return to Germany, Liebknecht initially joined the socialist group founded by Ferdinand Lassalle . Shortly afterward he broke with the Lassalleans because of doctrinal differences, and in 1869 with his disciple August Bebel , he formed the Social Democratic Labor party. For several years the two groups conflicted, but in 1875 they merged as the Socialist Labor party. As a member of the North German Reichstag, Liebknecht, a confirmed pacifist, voted against extending war credits for the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). He incurred the enmity of Otto von Bismarck , was convicted of treason, and with Bebel spent two years in prison (1872-74). Elected to the Reichstag in 1874, he was a member at his death. He wrote many books on historical and social topics and edited several socialist newspapers.
Wilhelm Liebknecht , 1826-1900, German socialist leader and journalist. His participation in the revolution in Germany in 1848-49 forced him into exile, and he lived in England until 1862. While there he became associated with Karl Marx . Although greatly influenced by Marx, he disagreed with him on many fundamental principles of socialism. Upon his return to Germany, Liebknecht initially joined the socialist group founded by Ferdinand Lassalle . Shortly afterward he broke with the Lassalleans because of doctrinal differences, and in 1869 with his disciple August Bebel , he formed the Social Democratic Labor party. For several years the two groups conflicted, but in 1875 they merged as the Socialist Labor party. As a member of the North German Reichstag, Liebknecht, a confirmed pacifist, voted against extending war credits for the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). He incurred the enmity of Otto von Bismarck , was convicted of treason, and with Bebel spent two years in prison (1872-74). Elected to the Reichstag in 1874, he was a member at his death. He wrote many books on historical and social topics and edited several socialist newspapers.
