German Democratic Party

(Deutsche Demokrat-ische Partei), a political party in Germany that existed from 1918 to 1930.

The German Democratic Party reflected the interests of moderate groupings within the German bourgeoisie. Representatives of the party were almost invariably included in any government pursuing a policy of restoring the might of German imperialism. The party’s first leaders were F. Naumann and C. Petersen, later succeeded by E. Koch-Weser; its left wing was represented by O. Nushke.

During the fascist upsurge, the leadership of the German Democratic Party tried to adapt to the new situation by dropping its democratic facade. In 1930 the German Democratic Party was transformed into the German State Party (Deutsche Staatspartei), which dissolved itself in July 1933, soon after the establishment of the fascist dictatorship.