Roselius, a sympathiser of National Socialism pursued Völkisch-Nordic cultural ideas influenced by the ideologists Julius Langbehn and Herman Wirth, involving a belief in the irreplaceable value of the Nordic race.
Backed by the Pan-German League, the party was founded close to the end of 1917 and represented conservative, nationalist, antisemitic and völkisch political circles, united in their opposition against the Reichstag Peace Resolution of July 19.