 |
Fritz PlattenSwiss figure in the international socialist and communist movement.
Date of Birth: 08.07.1883
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Friedrich Platten: A Revolutionary's Journey
- Political Leadership in Switzerland
- Facilitating the Bolshevik Revolution
- Foundation of the Comintern
- Establishment of the Swiss Communist Party
- Later Life and Legacy
Friedrich Platten: A Revolutionary's Journey
Early Life and ActivismFriedrich Platten was born into a working-class family in Switzerland. At a young age, he joined the worker's association "Einracht" and became involved in the socialist movement. In 1904, he traveled to Russia during the 1905-07 revolution, participating in revolutionary events in Latvia.
Political Leadership in Switzerland
Returning to Switzerland, Platten played a significant role in the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SPS). From 1911 to 1921, he served on the SPS Executive Board and was elected its Secretary in 1912. During World War I, Platten supported the anti-imperialist and anti-war stance of the left-wing of the socialist movement, breaking away from the Second International. He helped organize the Zimmerwald (1915) and Kiental (1916) conferences.
Facilitating the Bolshevik Revolution
Utilizing the connections of the SPS, Platten played a crucial role in organizing the transport of Russian political emigrants, led by Vladimir Lenin, across German territory in 1917. He then assisted in their transfer to Finland, along with prominent Swedish left-wing socialists. During the first assassination attempt on Lenin in 1918, Platten was injured while protecting him.
Foundation of the Comintern
Platten was instrumental in the establishment of the Communist International (Comintern). In March 1919, he served as a member of the Presidium of the First Comintern Congress. Throughout the Russian Civil War, Platten faced persecution and arrest from various authorities while operating on various fronts.
Establishment of the Swiss Communist Party
Platten advocated for the admission of the SPS into the Comintern. Following its affiliation, he organized the Communist Party of Switzerland and became its first Secretary in 1921. He traveled to the Soviet Union in 1923, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Later Life and Legacy
In Russia, Platten established an immigrant commune for Swiss workers. He also held positions at the International Agricultural University in Moscow and the Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages. Platten was repressed and died in a labor camp during World War II. He was posthumously rehabilitated. Platten's contributions to the international socialist and communist movement have left a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of revolutionaries.
