[4] She bases this viewpoint on her observations of the Russian Revolution where spontaneous mass strikes strengthened the readiness for action and the creativity of the proletariat.

[4] The Mass Strike contributed to the discourse by linking economic and political conflicts together, a perspective that continues in discussions among modern socialists.

[5][6][7] In 1921 Karl Radek claimed that The Mass Strike was the first document of German communism, stating "With this pamphlet begins the separation of the communist movement from social democracy in Germany.

In and out of prison, she saw her two roles while in Russia as, one, to postulate tasks for the Russian and Polish proletarians, and two, to translate these events to the benefit of German socialists.

There, she wrote The Mass Strike at the request of Hamburg's SPD after having intensive discussions about its topic with Vladimir Lenin and his immediate Bolshevik circle.

[8][9][11] The SPD executive decided to publish a toned-down version of the booklet in an attempt to save the frigid relationship between the party and the trade union leaders.

[9] Luxemburg defines an offensive strategy for the German socialist movement in The Mass Strike that is based on her observations of the 1905 Russian Revolution.

[12] She argues that socialists should use any opportunity to motivate the proletariat to act, including spontaneous and creative movements by the workers, which she believed Germany's strike actions would be, following Russia's example.