Kladderadatsch


Kladderadatsch was a satirical German-language magazine first published in Berlin on 7 May 1848. It appeared weekly or as the Kladderadatsch put it: "daily, except for weekdays." It was founded by Albert Hofmann and David Kalisch, the latter the son of a Jewish merchant and the author of several works of comedy. Publication ceased in 1944.

Background

The first edition, written almost entirely by Kalisch, saw 4,000 copies printed, all of which were sold within 24 hours. Two other writers, Ernst Dohm and Rudolf Löwenstein, were then employed. Wilhelm Scholz's drawings appeared in the second edition, and would do so for the next 40 years.
Originally, the Kladderadatsch was a liberal magazine but grew more conservative over the years. During the Bismarck era, the journal supported the Chancellor's policies; during the Weimar era, its stance was German-nationalist. After the 1923 takeover by the industrialist Hugo Stinnes, the magazine's contents became increasingly right-wing and showed some sympathy with Hitler and National socialism.