The Red Army Faction: A History of Radical Left-Wing Terrorism in Post-WWII Germany

The Formation and Rise of the Red Army Faction

In post-World War II Germany, a nation divided between capitalist West and communist East, the Red Army Faction (RAF) emerged as a radical left-wing terrorist group in West Germany. Founded in the early 1970s, the RAF, also known as the Baader-Meinhof Group, aimed to overthrow the West German government and fight against what they saw as capitalist oppression and imperialism. The group's activities, which included bank robberies, bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations, were carried out by a core group of members who believed that their violent actions were justified in the pursuit of a classless and stateless society. The West German government, initially unprepared for such domestic terrorism, eventually intensified its counter-terrorism measures to combat the RAF.

Ideological Motivations and Campaigns of the RAF

The RAF's ideology was influenced by Marxist-Leninist and anti-imperialist thought, and their actions were a response to what they perceived as the Federal Republic of Germany's (FRG) complicity in global conflicts and social injustices, such as the Vietnam War. The group's first known attack was the arson of two department stores in Frankfurt in 1968, which was intended as a protest against consumerism and the Vietnam War. Over the years, the RAF targeted symbols of the state and capitalism, including U.S. military installations, German police and judicial institutions, and the media. Their operations were designed to destabilize the FRG and inspire a revolution among the working class.

Prominent Members and the First Generation of the RAF

The RAF was led by key figures such as Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin, and Ulrike Meinhof. Baader, a charismatic and militant individual, along with Ensslin, his partner and a former student activist, were central to the group's formation. Meinhof, a journalist, joined after aiding Baader's escape from custody. Their leadership ended with their deaths in Stammheim Prison in 1977, which were officially ruled as suicides, although some supporters alleged state involvement. These events marked the demise of the RAF's first generation and became a rallying point for subsequent members.

The Second Generation and the German Autumn

The second generation of the RAF emerged in response to the incarceration and deaths of the original leaders. This new wave included individuals from various backgrounds, such as the Socialist Patients' Collective, who shared the RAF's anti-capitalist views. The German Autumn of 1977 was a peak of RAF activity, characterized by the assassinations of Attorney General Siegfried Buback and industrialist Hanns Martin Schleyer, and the hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 181. The latter event ended with a successful rescue operation by the German counter-terrorism unit GSG 9, with assistance from Somali commandos, and resulted in the deaths of the hijackers.

The Decline and Disbandment of the Red Army Faction

The RAF's influence waned in the 1980s and 1990s, as the political and social climate in Germany changed, particularly after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. The discovery of the RAF's connections with the East German Stasi security service further eroded their support base. Despite a few sporadic attacks, the RAF's operational capabilities and ideological appeal diminished, leading to their official disbandment in 1998. The group's violent legacy includes the deaths of over 30 victims, including members of the German elite, U.S. military personnel, and bystanders.

The Enduring Legacy of the Red Army Faction

The Red Army Faction's history is a testament to the volatile political climate of post-war Germany and the broader Cold War context. The group's radical approach to political change and their willingness to use violence have sparked ongoing discussions about the nature of resistance and the ethical boundaries of political activism. The RAF's actions and their impact on German society continue to be studied as an example of the dangers of extremism and the challenges faced by democratic states in preserving security while respecting civil liberties.