This case study of the “red” city of Leipzig seeks to examine the German revolution 1918-1920 not simply from the perspective of World War I, but to look back into prewar years, to see the development of Leipzigers' particularly revolutionary stance as a product of both long- and short-term experiences. In doing so, Dobson concludes that the case of Leipzig refutes generalized assumptions concerning German laborers' complete “integration” into the Wilhelmine system (1890-1918), arguing rather for Leipzig workers' consistent rejection of repressive Wilhelmine authority, and their longstanding alternative vision of a radically democratized society. Dobson argues his case through “relationships,” particularly within and between blue- and white-collar workers.