Sophia von Hatzfeldt. At the origins of German social democracy

The article is focused on the role of Countess Sofia von Hatzfeldt in the development of the German Social Democracy. Since 1846 Hatzfeldt was one of the most loyal friends of Ferdinand Lassalle; she financed his political activities - creation of the Workers’ Party is one of the strong evidences of her support. After Lassalle’s death Hatzfeldt contended with numerous “enemies” of Lassalleanism, propagated the cult of her idol, organized meetings with workers, created and actually superintend Lassalle’s General German Association. It is reasonable to ask how a representative of Prussian aristocracy could become one of the leaders of the labor movement. How could a woman living in the middle of the XIX century even dare to participate in the political struggle? The author of the article tries to answer these questions. Hatzfeldt’s role in the history of German labor movement was controversial. Most of the researchers considered her a schemer who aspired to power. The author pays special attention to the positive aspects of the “Red Countess” activities and, in the first instance, to the expansion of socialist and feminist ideas in Germany.