The assassination of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht occurred in the aftermath of the Spartacist uprising, which sought to establish a socialist regime in Germany. The uprising, rooted in widespread discontent with the Weimar Republic and the Treaty of Versailles, faced fierce opposition from right-wing paramilitary groups known as the Freikorps. These groups were comprised of veterans and ultra-nationalists who sought to maintain order and suppress leftist movements. The Spartacist leader, Rosa Luxemburg, alongside Karl Liebknecht, was captured during the uprising’s suppression and was seen as a significant threat to the stability of the Weimar government.

On the night of their capture, the Freikorps soldiers took them to a nearby location where they were brutally beaten and eventually shot. This murder was emblematic of the violent struggle between left and right in the Weimar Republic, where political assassinations were tragically common. The deaths of Luxemburg and Liebknecht not only removed two prominent communist leaders but also served as a rallying point for left-wing activists, further polarizing German politics.

In the wake of their deaths, a significant funeral procession took place, attended by thousands of mourners, demonstrating the lasting support for the ideas they championed. This event marked a turning point in the fragmentation of the left in Germany, contributing to the growing tensions that would lead to the rise of fascism in the years to come.