After serving in the army, Baargeld began his literary career in 1917 by writing for
Pfemfert's journal
Die Aktion. His contributions were mostly lyrical and political works. A year after he began writing for
Die Aktion, Baargeld joined the
Independent Socialist Party of Germany (USPD). Before establishing Dada, Baargeld had been the patron of a leftist periodical,
Der Ventilator. The journal was the political and artistic means through which the would-be members of Dada, such as
Angelika and
Heinrich Hoerle, published satirical works. ==Painting==