Political change - the Weimar constitution

• What was the name of the German republic established between 1919 and 1933?


  Weimar Republic
• What type of political system did the Weimar Republic establish?


  A representative democracy
• What was the aim of the Weimar Republic's constitution?


  To give genuine power to all German adults
• What were the major flaws of the Weimar constitution that contributed to its downfall?


  Two features undermined its hope for a successful democracy
• What were the strengths of the Weimar constitution?


  • Genuine democracy with elections every four years
  • All Germans over 20 could vote
  • The Reichstag appointed the government and made laws
  • A Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of speech, religion, and equality
• What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?


  • Proportional representation led to many small parties and weak governments
  • Article 48 allowed the president to act without parliament's approval in emergencies
• What did proportional representation in the Weimar constitution result in?


  Many small parties in parliament, making it difficult to pass laws
• What was the issue with Article 48 of the Weimar constitution?


  It allowed the president to act without parliament's approval but lacked a clear definition of 'emergency'
• How did the overuse of Article 48 affect German confidence in democracy?

  It weakened Germans' confidence in democracy
• What was the role of the Reichstag in the Weimar Republic?


  The Reichstag appointed the government and made all laws
• Who was the head of the government in the Weimar Republic?

  The Chancellor
• What was the significance of the Bill of Rights in the Weimar constitution?


  It guaranteed freedom of speech, religion, and equality under the law
• What event led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic?

  The abdication of the Kaiser after World War One
• What were the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?


  It caused huge problems for Germany up to 1924