GERMAN EMPIRE
THE CATHOLIC CENTRE PARTY
ZENTRUM PARTEI
(1911)

This series of postcards was published by the Zentrum Partei (Catholic Centre Party) as part of an election campaign prior to the 1912 German National Elections. The cards are designed to attack the various parties that were expected to be standing against the Zentrum Partie, as well as to promote Zentrum Partie Programs and agendas.

The publication date for this series of postcards is unknown, as is the quantity (at least 10 cards are known). I have placed them here temporarily, but more research is needed to determine the actual date of issue and quantity. These cards were likely issued prior to the 1912 German elections and several have dates of 1910 so it is probable that this set was issued somewhere between late 1910 and the end of 1911.

This series of cards bears the Inscription:

Das Zentrum
Ist eine wahre Volkspartei!
betreibt keine
Interessenpolitik!
Kämpf für Thron und Altar!

The center
is a true people's party!
does not have any
self interests policies!
Fights for Throne and altar!

BARON LUDWIG VON WINDTHORST
ZENTRUM No. 1

This first card in the series features Baron Ludwig von Windthorst (1812 – 1891) leader of the Catholic Centre Party (Das Zentrum Partei). He was also the most notable opponent of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck during the Prussian-led unification of Germany.

This card is inscribed "Let us be loyal to our great, unforgettable leader Windhorst. Let us be mindful of his words, which he spoke in Cologne on February 10th, 1887 before the septenate elections: If, contrary to expectations, we do not emerge unscathed from this fight in hell, "you put a stone in memory of the central faction and write on it: never defeated by the enemy but abandoned by joy". Let us remain true to the flag that Windthorst carried before us and vote man by man the candidates for the center and follow his slogan.

"By the God in heaven above, brother, let us vow to be worthy of our Father!" L. von Heemstede."

No. 1

FROM MY COLLECTION

THE CENTRE PARTY PROGRAM
ZENTRUM No. 2

No. 2

FROM MY COLLECTION

FREE-THINKERS
ZENTRUM No. 3

No. 3

FROM MY COLLECTION

THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ZENTRUM No. 4

This second card takes aim at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with the inscription "Social democracy seeks in every way “to revolutionize the heads”. Its ultimate aim is to achieve “revolutionary social democracy.” It openly applauds bomb-throwers and king murderers. Foreign revolutionaries provide them with money. The consequences are shown on the map. It is Hence the highest national duty of all bourgeois parties to take down the Social Democrats as one, which everyone supports by electing the candidates for the center and following his slogan.

Social democracy says: "Socialism is no longer a question of theory, which cannot be solved in any parliament, which can only be resolved on the street, on the battlefield, like any other question of power." W. Liebnecht.

Karl Paul August Friedrich Liebknecht (1871 – 1919) was a German socialist politician and theorist, originally of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and later a co-founder with Rosa Luxemburg of the Spartacist League and the Communist Party of Germany.

No. 4

FROM MY COLLECTION

THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ZENTRUM No. 5

No. 5

FROM MY COLLECTION

ZENTRUM No. 6

No. 6

FROM MY COLLECTION

THE COMMUNIST PARTY
ZENTRUM No. 7

Additional text reads "The excessive incitement of the red people's fraudsters (The Communists), who say "The poor man pays all taxes!" The Center Party has always placed taxes on the shoulders of the wealthy as far as possible. Therefore everyone choose the candidates of the center and follow his slogan. Social democracy has rejected hundreds of millions of property taxes".

The inscription goes on to say "For example, she (The Communist Party) voted against: the introduction of stock market adventures; Increase in stock exchange tax; Taxation d. Betting stakes b. Run; Tax on champagne; all duties on luxury articles (oysters, etc.) and luxury items (Persian carpets, precious stones, etc.); Automobile tax; Talon tax (on interest sheet and profit coupons); Tariff increase a. foreign Champagne; Tax increase a. domestic Champagne, increase d. Security stamp; and the always profitable value added tax." The statement intended to show that the Communist Party did not vote against the implementation of luxury taxes, which they shold have done, if they were looking out for the interests of the common man.