Ernst Thälmann chairman of the KPD

© Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin Thälmann delivering a speech at a manifestation, 1 May 1930

On 1 September 1925, Ernst Thälmann assumes the chairmanship of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) as successor to Ruth Fischer. The Executive Committee of the Communist International (Comintern) had recently accused Fischer of having isolated the party within the German labour force. With the election of Thälmann, a supporter of Josef Stalin, Moscow is assured a definitive influence on Germany’s communists.