In June 1945, the Communist Party of Germany [Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands or KPD] became the first political party to reorganize in Hamburg. Although the KPD had gained prestige through its wartime resistance work and its persecution under the Nazi regime, it was still unable to win majorities in Hamburg or the rest of the Western zones. This photograph shows a KPD banner in front of the Hamburg-Altona train station. The banner reads: “Democratization means giving workers a say in economic life and government administration. Become a member of the KPD.”