Weimar Republic 1918-19

• What years did the Weimar Republic span?

  1918-1933
• What was the main event leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic?

  The Revolution of 1918-19
• What was the political situation in Germany during the final weeks of 1918?

  There was upheaval from the extreme left and right
• What name was given to the new government formed in Germany?

  Weimar Republic
• What was the most important task of the January election?

  No single party had a majority of seats
• What were the results of the January 1919 election in terms of party seats?

  • Social Democratic Party (SPD): 143 seats
  • German Democratic Party (DDP): 75 seats
  • Centre Party (Z): 71 seats
  • German National People’s Party (DNVP): 44 seats
  • Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD): 22 seats
  • Bavarian People’s Party (BVP): 20 seats
  • German People’s Party (DVP): 79 seats
  • Others: 7 seats
• Who was chosen as the new President of the Weimar Republic?

  Friedrich Ebert of the SPD
• Why did Ebert have to form a coalition government?

  He lacked a majority in the Assembly
• Who became Chancellor after Ebert?

  Philipp Scheidemann
• What was one of the government's tasks after its formation?

  Drawing up a new constitution
• What was the significance of the peace treaty with the Allies?

  It was part of the government's formation process
• How many seats did the Bavarian People’s Party (BVP) secure?

  20 seats
• What was the total number of seats for the German People’s Party (DVP)?

  79 seats
• What was the time period of the Weimar Republic?

  1918-1929
• What was the purpose of Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution?

  To restore public safety and order
• What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

  • A strong president was needed to keep control over the government and protect the country in a crisis
  • Proportional representation made sure that political parties got seats in proportion with the votes they got - this was fair
  • The Chancellor had to have the support of most of the people in the Reichstag
  • All Germans had equal rights including the right to vote - this was fairer than any other country in Europe
• Who had the right to vote in the Weimar Republic?

  Both men and women
• What was the voting age for men and women in the Weimar Republic?

  Over the age of 20 years
• How did proportional representation benefit smaller parties in the Weimar Republic?

  It allowed them representation in parliament
• What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Criticized for a weak government system
  • Article 48 allowed the President to use it without parliament
  • Ebert and colleagues faced criticism
  • 1919- the Weimar Republic had many enemies meaning it was unwise to give equal rights to those who wanted to destroy it
  • It was Germany's first time being democratic and many people were against democracy and wanted a strong leader
• Who was criticized for creating a weak system of government in the Weimar Republic?

  Ebert and his colleagues
• What did the flaws in the Weimar Constitution lead to during the early postwar years?

  Criticism of the government system
• How did the Weimar Constitution aim to protect the rights of minorities?

  Through proportional representation in parliament
• How many years was the president elected?


  Every 7 years
• What is Article 48?

  “If the public safety and order in the Reich is materially disturbed or endangered the President may use it in the state of emergencies“
• What is a Chancellor?

  The Chancellor (Prime minister) is in charge of the country, chosen by the President and had to have support of a majority of the Reichstag
• What is the Reichstag?


  The Reichstag or Parliament is elected every 4 years