Lesson 2: Weimar constitution, its strengths and weaknesses

• Who abdicated on 10 November 2018?

  Kaiser (King) Wilhelm II
• Why did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?

  He did not want Communists in power
• What did the Treaty of Versailles require Germany to admit?

  Defeat and guilt for the war
• What was the Weimar Constitution and its key points?

  • Established after Kaiser’s abdication
  • Aimed to calm Germany and restore faith
  • Created by the National Assembly in Weimar
  • Included proportional representation
  • Allowed local governments to manage regions
• What was the date of the elections for the National Assembly?

  19th January 1919
• What percentage of Germany voted in the elections?

  82%
• Which party won 40% of the votes in the elections?

  Social Democratic Party (SPD)
• What are key terms related to the Weimar Constitution?

  • Constitution: Fundamental rules of governance
  • Trade Unions: Organizations for workers' rights
  • Reichstag: German parliament responsible for laws
  • Coalition: Alliance of multiple political parties
  • Weimar: City where the constitution was drafted
• What was the role of the President in the Weimar Republic?

  In charge of the army and emergency powers
• What was a significant weakness of the Weimar Constitution?

  Too many political parties for clear wins
• What was a strength of the Weimar Constitution?

  Proportional representation for smaller parties
• What did many believe about Germany during the Weimar Republic?

  Germany was on the edge of anarchy
• What was the consequence of having too many political parties in the Weimar Republic?

  No strong party could quickly win elections
• What was the impact of extreme political parties in the Weimar Republic?

  They created instability and division
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  Strengths:

  • Proportional representation
  • Local government autonomy

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Fragmentation of political parties
  • Lack of public support
  • Vulnerability to extreme parties