German Workers Society

a proletarian organization of German émigré workers founded in Brussels in late August 1847. Members of the Communist League played a leading role in the German Workers’ Society, in the founding and activity of which K. Marx and F. Engels participated.

Under Marx’ leadership the German Workers’ Society embarked on a program of extensive educational and propaganda activity and established contacts with Belgian workers’ organizations. Members of the society participated in the founding of the international Brussels Democratic Association. After the February Revolution of 1848 in France, Belgian authorities, fearing the revolutionary influence of the German Workers’ Society on the workers, arrested and exiled many of its leaders, including W. Wolff, its secretary. The German Workers’ Society discontinued its activity in the early 1850’s.