Weimar Constitution: Germany and the growth of democracy: History: GCSE (9:1)

Weimar

A town in Germany where the newly elected government met to agree a new constitution as Germany was too dangerous

Constitution

A set of rules for how the country would be run

The President

Elected every 7 years. Controlled army, navy and air force. Not involved in day-to-day running of the country.

Article 48

Of the Weimar Constitution stated that the President could rule on his own (without the Reichstag) by issuing decrees if there was an emergency.

The Chancellor

Chosen by the President (usually from the party with the most seats in the Reichstag). Responsible for the day-to-day running of the country (law and order, taxation, health care etc.)

The Reichstag

Discussed and passed new laws proposed by the Chancellors and his ministers. Members elected every four years

The Electorate

All men and women over 20 could vote in elections for the President & Reichstag

Proportional Representation (PR)

A system of allocating seats in the Reichstag. If a party got 30% of the votes, they would get 30% of the seats in the Reichstag. This often resulted in coalition governments.

Rights

The constitution also guaranteed freedom of speech and rights

Weaknesses

Article 48 gave the President great power. Proportional Representation resulted in coalitions that could be weak. Presidents had 7 years between elections.

Strengths

Much more democratic than the old system. Women could vote. The President elected and the Reichstag had more power.

Traditionalist Opposition

Some generals, judges and rich families preferred the old system under the Kaiser where they had more power.

November Criminals

The politicians who made the Weimar Constitution were the same people who surrendered in 1918.

Coalitions

Governments made up of more than one party. Generally seen to be weak governments as all of the parties had to agree a policy so they were likely to fall out and breakdown.