gcse pod summarys

weimar republic

kaiser wilhelm II abdicated on 9th November 1918

Ebert announced the german republic on the same day, stating it would be run as a coalition with other socialist parties

before new republic, decisions were left up to the kaiser and his loyal chancellor

reichstag had limited power to pass or reject laws - existing politicians were unfamiliar with democracy, making the creation of a new constitution difficult.

abdication of kaiser, defeat in the war and the TOV caused unrest in germany

truly democratic government was formed, formally agreed july 1919

new constitution gave all german adults equal rights and the right to vote.

voters elected ministers into the reichstag through proportional representation

reichstag made laws and appointed the chancellor with approval of the president

president elected every seven years

article 48- in an emergency the president could make laws without consulting the reichstag

strengths of the constitution

all adults over the age of 20 were given the right to vote

proportional representation made the reichstag truly represent what the german people wanted

weaknesses in the constitution

proportional representation also meant that it was difficult for germany to reach political stability as the small parties had to rely on coalitions to have any influence

coalitions are weak because they dont hold only one set of values or beliefs

power held by the president was a threat particularly if he used article 48 as he could take this power and become a dictator

lacking support for democracy in germany