History 1. History The theory of social democracy mainly arose in central Europe and especially in Germany during the 19th century. During that time, Central Europe consisted of a strictly unjust society, with a rich upper class of industrialists and Noblemen on the one side and a huge labor force, which worked under harsh and brutal conditions, on the other. Supporters of the idea of a more equal society referred to various political theorists, such as Karl Marx(1818­1883), Ferdinand Lassalle(1825-1864), Eduard Bernstein(1850-1932), and John Stuart Mill(1806-1873) amongst others. The umbrella term for all supporters of a more just and equal society was'socialists'. A clear division between communists, democratic socialists or social democrats was not yet possible. During years of heated political discussions, distinctions between the political movements began to form. It was not until after World War I (1914–1918) that social democracy started to be recognized as a separate ideology. The main differences to other political groups were their belief in the superiority of political reform to create a democratic state, as opposed to violent revolution to overcome an oppressive system. While the 'revolutionary' side wanted to overturn property relations and the constitution of the state in order to achieve a new society, the reformist social democrats wanted to develop the contemporary society and its constitution by means of democratic reforms. Trade unions, strong workers' representation, and a parliamentary democracy were social democratic instruments to achieve a better society. After some promising years(e.g. with a social democratic President in Germany) the continent experienced a wave of anti-democratic governments that finally ended in World War II(1939–1940). During this period, only a few countries(USA, Britain, France, and parts of north­western Europe) held onto democracy at all, and as a consequence, social democracy lost much of its political presence. The end of the Great War was a victory for democracy, as the major victors USA and Britain helped to rebuild democratic structures throughout continental Europe and Japan. Social democratic parties dominated the direct post-war years in several continental European states, as well as England, Australia, and New Zealand, in which the Labour Parties were in power. But even in West-European countries with conservative or liberal governments, social democratic elements were integrated in the new constitutions. More extensive welfare systems and improved workers' rights are examples of traditional social democratic demands which found their way into the popular politics of many parties. While Western Europe experienced a democratic development, Eastern Europe states turned into totalitarian regimes. As these non-democratic 'people's democracies' called themselves'social' or'socialists', social “It was not until after World War I (1914–1918) that social democracy started to be recognized as a separate ideology.” 5