Weimar Republic

After the German 'emperor' was destroyed, a new form of democratic style rule was established, and the new system in which Germany was to be governed was called the 'Wiemar Republic', or in German, Weimarer Republik. This tutorial will explore the constitution of the Weimar Republic and the strengths and weaknesses within the republic.

WEIMAR CONSTITUTION DIAGRAM

The Presdient, in this case, is re-elected every seven years. Also, there was this Article you should acknowledge. The article was numbered 48, and it stated that 'in an emergency the President could make laws without going first to the Reichstag'. This article plays an instrumental role in the rise of the Nazis in the future.

The Reichstag is a bit like the British Parliament. Parties were voted under 'Proportional Representation', where the number of seats each party had was 'directly proportional' to the number of votes they had.

Fredrick Ebert, President of Germany from 1919-1925

Phillip Scheidemann, Chancellor of Germany, 1919

So, thats the constitution. Now we have to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution.

Strengths

1. All Germans had equal rights, including the right to vote

2. Proportional Representation made sure that political parties were allocated seats in Parliament in proportion to the number of votes they had. This was fair.

3. A strong president was necessary to keep control over the government and to protect the country in a crisis.

4. Each state had its own traditions. It was right they should keep some control over their own affairs.

Weaknesses

1. In 1919, the Republic had many enemies. It would not be sensible to give equal rights to those who wish to destroy it.

2. Proportional Representation encouraged lots of small parties which each got a small number of MP's. No one party could get a majority, so governments had to be coalitions (many parties together). There could never be a strong government.

3. The President had too much power and he had article 48. There was a chance he may become a dictator.

4. The states could be hostile to the national government, and even try to overthrow it if they had power.