Key facts and dates

Urban terrorism in West Germany during the 1970s, led by the Red Army Faction (RAF) or Baader-Meinhof Gang, posed a significant challenge to democratic stability, culminating in the intense crisis of the "German Autumn" in 1977. This timeline captures the pivotal moments in the rise and fall of this terrorist group and the state's response.

Timeline of key events

• 1970 – Formation of the RAF, emerging from the radical student movement.
• 1970 – Andreas Baader freed from custody by Ulrike Meinhof, marking the start of major violent actions.
• 1972 – Key RAF leaders, including Baader, Meinhof, and Gudrun Ensslin, arrested after a wave of bombings.
• 1977 (September-October) – "German Autumn": kidnapping of Hanns Martin Schleyer and Lufthansa hijacking.
• 1977 (October 18) – RAF leaders found dead in Stammheim Prison; Schleyer murdered in retaliation.
• 1998 – RAF officially dissolves, ending decades of sporadic violence.

Origins and ideology of the Red Army Faction (RAF)

The Red Army Faction (RAF), commonly known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, emerged as a radical left-wing terrorist group in West Germany during the late 1960s. It grew out of the broader student protest movement, which was critical of capitalism, imperialism, and the perceived failures of Western democracy in the post-war era.

Roots in the radical student movement

Context and formation:

• Context of unrest - The late 1960s saw widespread student protests across West Germany, influenced by global movements against the Vietnam War and capitalist systems. Many young people felt alienated by what they saw as an oppressive, conformist society.
• Formation of the RAF - Established in 1970, the RAF was born from this discontent, drawing members from activist circles who believed peaceful protest was insufficient for systemic change.

Key leaders:

• Andreas Baader - A charismatic activist prone to direct action.
• Ulrike Meinhof - A journalist who provided intellectual justification.
• Gudrun Ensslin - A fierce ideologue who shaped the group's radical stance.

Ideology and goals

• Marxist and anti-imperialist beliefs - The RAF combined Marxist ideas of class struggle with anti-imperialist rhetoric, viewing West Germany as a puppet of American imperialism and global capitalism.
• Opposition to a "fascist state" - They accused the West German government of being authoritarian and fascist, claiming their violent actions were a necessary resistance against state oppression.
• Urban guerrilla warfare - Inspired by Latin American revolutionary tactics, they aimed to wage an urban guerrilla war to destabilise the state and inspire a broader revolutionary movement among the working class.

The campaign of violence and key activities of the RAF

From the early 1970s, the RAF launched a sustained campaign of violence aimed at undermining the West German state and its perceived imperialist allies. Their actions escalated in scope and brutality, targeting both symbolic and strategic sites.

Main tactics and targets of the RAF

• Bank robberies - The group funded its operations through a series of armed bank robberies, using the proceeds to purchase weapons and sustain underground networks.
• Bombings - They carried out bombings of US military installations in West Germany, such as bases used during the Vietnam War, as well as German institutions like police stations and corporate offices, to protest capitalist and military power.
• Kidnappings and murders - High-profile abductions and assassinations, including those of politicians, judges, and business leaders, were used to intimidate the establishment and gain media attention.
• Escalation in the 1970s - After the arrest of core leaders in 1972, a "second generation" of RAF members intensified attacks, seeking to pressure the state into releasing imprisoned comrades.

The West German state's response to urban terrorism

The rise of the RAF presented a severe challenge to West German democracy, prompting a robust and often controversial response from the state. Authorities sought to dismantle the group while balancing security needs with democratic principles.

Measures taken against the RAF

• Massive manhunts - The government launched extensive police operations to track down RAF members, using surveillance, informants, and international cooperation to disrupt their networks.
• Anti-terrorism legislation - New laws were introduced in the 1970s, expanding police powers to detain suspects without charge for longer periods and monitor communications, aiming to preempt terrorist acts.
• Restrictions on radical lawyers - Suspecting that some defence lawyers were aiding the RAF by passing messages or weapons, the state imposed strict controls, including bans on certain attorneys representing terrorist suspects.
• Debate on proportionality - While many supported tough measures to combat terrorism, critics argued that the state's response verged on authoritarian overreaction, eroding civil liberties and risking the very democratic values it aimed to protect.

The events of the "German Autumn" in 1977

The "German Autumn" of 1977 marked the peak of RAF violence and state crisis, a six-week period of intense terrorist activity and dramatic government response. This sequence of events gripped West Germany and tested its democratic resolve.

Key developments during the German Autumn

Step 1: Kidnapping of Hanns Martin Schleyer (5 September 1977):

• Schleyer, president of the German Employers' Association and a prominent industrialist, was abducted by the RAF.
• The RAF demanded the release of imprisoned leaders in exchange for his life.

Step 2: Lufthansa hijacking (13-18 October 1977):

• In a coordinated action, Palestinian allies of the RAF hijacked Lufthansa Flight 181.
• They took hostages in a bid to reinforce the demand for prisoner releases.

Step 3: Commando liberation at Mogadishu (18 October 1977):

• West German special forces (GSG 9) successfully stormed the hijacked plane in Mogadishu, Somalia.
• They freed all hostages and killed the hijackers, demonstrating the state's refusal to negotiate with terrorists.

Step 4: Suicide of RAF leaders in Stammheim Prison (18 October 1977):

• Hours after the Mogadishu rescue, Baader, Ensslin, and another RAF member were found dead in their cells.
• The deaths were officially ruled as suicides, though conspiracy theories of state murder persist.

Step 5: Murder of Schleyer (19 October 1977):

• In retaliation for the failed hijacking and deaths of their leaders, the RAF executed Schleyer.
• His body was discovered in France, marking a tragic end to the crisis.

Public opinion, long-term impact, and broader significance of 1970s terrorism

The RAF's campaign and the German Autumn left a profound mark on West German society, shaping public attitudes, political culture, and security policies. It also raised broader questions about the nature of terrorism in Western democracies during the 1970s.

Public reaction and the "sympathiser" debate

• Rejection of terrorism - The vast majority of West Germans condemned the RAF's violence, viewing it as a dangerous threat to social order and democratic stability, especially during the German Autumn.
• Concerns over civil liberties - Many citizens and intellectuals worried that the state's anti-terrorism measures went too far, infringing on freedoms of speech, assembly, and privacy.
• Root causes debate - Some questioned whether societal issues, such as youth alienation or unresolved post-war guilt, contributed to radicalisation, though this was a minority view.
• Sympathiser controversy - There was speculation about a small but significant group of "sympathisers" who, while not endorsing violence, shared the RAF's anti-capitalist or anti-imperialist critiques, complicating public discourse.

Long-term impact on West Germany

• Dissolution of the RAF - The group continued sporadic attacks into the 1980s but officially disbanded in 1998, having failed to achieve revolutionary change or mass support.
• Trauma and political culture - The violence left a lasting trauma, fostering a heightened awareness of security threats and a reluctance to tolerate extremism in political life.
• Strengthening of security apparatus - The crisis led to permanent enhancements in police and intelligence capabilities, influencing modern counter-terrorism strategies in Germany.

Broader significance and comparisons

• Threat to democracy - While the RAF caused significant disruption, most historians argue their threat was largely symbolic rather than existential, as West German democracy proved resilient despite the violence.
• Comparison with Italy's Red Brigades - Like the RAF, Italy's Red Brigades engaged in kidnappings and murders during the 1970s, reflecting a wider crisis of legitimacy in Western democracies facing economic struggles and ideological polarisation.
• Crisis of Western democracies - The 1970s wave of terrorism across Europe can be interpreted as a symptom of broader societal tensions, including generational conflict, economic inequality, and disillusionment with political systems, highlighting the challenges of maintaining democratic stability in turbulent times.