| Volkswacht | |
| Foundation: | September 1910 |
| Political: | Social Democratic Party of Germany |
| Language: | German |
| Ceased Publication: | 1919 |
| Headquarters: | Danzig |
| Sister Newspapers: | Vorwärts |
Volkswacht ('People's Guard') was a social democratic newspaper published in Danzig, Germany (present-day Gdańsk, Poland) from 1910 to 1919.[1] Initially, Volkswacht was published weekly. As of 1913, it was published twice weekly.[2] In 1914 it was converted into a daily newspaper. The newspaper masthead carried the slogan Organ für die werktätige Bevölkerung in Westpreußen ('Organ of the toiling population in West Prussia'). It was issued as a publication of the Free Trade Unions.[3]
Volkswacht was founded in September 1910.[4] August Bebel wrote an editorial for the inaugural issue of the newspaper.[5]
Due to financial difficulties the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) had lacked an organ of its own in Danzig for a long time.[6] The new publication was maintained by funds from the central party leadership in Berlin.[1] Arthur Crispien worked as editor of Volkswacht 1910–1912.[7] [8] Gustav Schröder took over as editor after Crispien.[1]
The newspaper played an important role in spreading social democratic ideas in the region.[6] The readership of Volkswacht was at pair with the bourgeois Danziger Zeitung.[9] On political issues the article material largely consisted of reprints from the SPD central organ Vorwärts. The Volkswacht editors focused more on writing about local matters.[6]
During the First World War, Volkswacht was placed under preventive censorship.[10]
Julius Gehl became editor of Volkwacht in 1917[11] with Walter Reek heading the press commission.[12] The readership of Volkswacht increased after the outbreak of the November Revolution.[9] In 1920 Volkswacht was replaced by Danziger Volksstimme ('People's Voice of Danzig').[1]