Weltbühne

Die Weltbühne, commonly referred to as Die Weltbühne (The World Stage), was a German weekly political and cultural magazine published in Berlin from 1918 to 1933. It emerged in the aftermath of World War I as a platform for liberal-democratic and pacifist voices during the Weimar Republic. Founded and steered by Siegfried Jacobsohn, the magazine sought to foster an independent and critical public sphere at a time of political upheaval and social change.

The publication combined investigative journalism, political analysis, social commentary, and literary and theatre criticism. It aimed to scrutinize government policy, militarism, capitalist power, and social injustice, while promoting civil liberties, democratic reform, and cultural reflection. Die Weltbühne attracted contributions from prominent journalists and writers of the era, including Kurt Tucholsky and Carl von Ossietzky, among others, and helped shape public discourse on war, diplomacy, and democracy.

With the ascent of the Nazi regime, the magazine faced increasing censorship, legal pressure, and financial difficulties. It was banned in 1933 and ceased publication, with many staff members persecuted or forced into exile. Die Weltbühne is remembered as a significant voice of the Weimar press—an exemplar of independent, critical journalism that challenged nationalist and authoritarian narratives and advocated pluralism, peace, and social reform.