“Wählt die Republik” / “Vote for the Republic” Vintage Political Poster

This is a striking political poster from the Weimar Republic period in Germany (likely the late 1920s). It was produced by the Deutscher Republikanischer Reichsbund (“German Republican League”), an organization dedicated to defending Germany’s democratic republic against extremists on both the far left and far right. Here’s what the text says:

Main banner: “Wählt die Republik” / “Vote for the Republic.”

This is the poster’s central message—an appeal to vote in support of Germany’s democratic government.

Ribbon around the building: 

“Frieden” / “Peace.”

“Freiheit” / “Freedom.”

“Wohlstand” / “Prosperity.”

These were presented as the three great promises of the democratic republic.

Bottom text: “Deutscher Republikanischer Reichsbund” / “German Republican League” This was the organization that commissioned the poster.

This is a beautifully designed example of Art Deco political propaganda.

The Zeppelin symbolizes Germany’s engineering skill, innovation, and optimism for the future. The church and civic building represent stability, law, and German cultural traditions. The factory symbolizes industry, jobs, and economic recovery. The black, red, and gold stripes are the colors of the democratic German republic (the same national colors Germany uses today). They deliberately contrast with the old Imperial black-white-red flag favored by monarchists and later adopted by many nationalist groups.

The artist is essentially saying: Support the Republic, and Germany will enjoy peace, freedom, prosperity, modern industry, technological progress, and social stability.

Historical significance

This poster is especially poignant because it was created during the final years of the Weimar Republic, when democracy was under attack from political extremists. Within just a few years, many of the ideals celebrated here—peace, freedom, and prosperity—would be swept away as the Nazi Party came to power in 1933.

For your Weimar and Berlin summer series, this is a wonderful companion piece to the cabaret posters you’ve been collecting. While the nightclub posters celebrate the Republic’s vibrant culture, this poster celebrates the German Republic's one celebrates its political ideals. Together, they tell the story of a society that was remarkably creative and hopeful, even as it faced growing instability.

It’s also one of the finest examples of Weimar political graphic design—bold, optimistic, and unmistakably Art Deco.