Founded by leading socialist politicians and theorists,[2] the magazine's first edition was released on 1 January 1883. After the abolition of the Anti-Socialist Laws, the magazine was transformed from a monthly into a weekly on 1 October 1890. In 1901 it became the official magazine of the SPD and its property.[2] The magazine's decline and end came with the hyperinflation of the 1920s. It became the most important organ of the SPD, competing with Sozialistische Monatshefte.[3] It was edited by Karl Kautsky and Emanuel Wurm [de] until their withdrawal from the SPD in 1917. Following that, Heinrich Cunow took over as its chief editor.
Die Neue Zeit was succeeded by Die Gesellschaft [de],[3][4] of which the first issue was published on 1 April 1924.[5]
Austrian socialist theoretical journal, Der Kampf, was inspired from Die Neue Zeit.[6]
