the weimar constitution

• What date was the new constitution agreed in Germany?

  31st of July, 1919
• What is the name of the constitution agreed upon in Germany?

  Weimar Republic
• Who is allowed to vote under the Weimar Constitution?

  All men and women over 21
• How often is the president elected under the Weimar Constitution?

  Every 7 years
• What power does the president have regarding the Chancellor?

  To choose the Chancellor
• Who is the head of the German government?

  The Chancellor
• What is the role of government ministers?

  To oversee specific areas of government
• What is the cabinet in the Weimar government?

  The most important decision-making body
• How many houses make up the Weimar Parliament?

  Two houses
• What are the two houses of the Weimar Parliament?

  Reichstag and Reichsrat
• Which house of the Weimar Parliament is more powerful?

  The Reichstag
• What does the Reichstag control?

  Taxation
• How is the Reichstag elected?

  Directly by the people
• What is the purpose of the Reichsrat?

  To represent the regions of Germany
• How many representatives does each region send to the Reichsrat?

  Dependent upon its size
• What is a strength of the Weimar Constitution?

  It is democratic
• What system does the Reichstag use for elections?

  Proportional representation (PR)
• How many votes elect one representative in the Reichstag?

  60,000 votes
• What is the purpose of checks and balances in the Weimar Constitution?

  To prevent one person from gaining too much power
• Under normal circumstances, what is required for the Chancellor to pass laws?

  Approval from both Reichstag and Reichsrat
• What can the Reichsrat do regarding new laws passed by the Reichstag?

  Delay any new laws
• How can the Reichstag override the Reichsrat's delay?

  By a two-thirds majority
• What does local government retain under the Weimar Constitution?

  Some of its own independence
• What is a weakness of the Weimar Constitution related to proportional representation?

  Smaller parties gain seats easily
• How many different parties held seats in the Reichstag during the 1920s?

  29 different parties
• What is a consequence of having no majority governments?

  Coalitions must be formed
• What are coalition governments?

  Governments formed by different parties teaming up
• What is a drawback of coalitions in the Weimar Republic?

  Lack of clear strong policies
• How many coalition governments were there between 1919 and 1923?

  Nine different coalition governments
• What is a problem with the Constitution during crises?

  Hard to make swift clear decisions
• What does Article 48 allow the Chancellor to do?

  Bypass the Reichstag in crises
• How does Article 48 affect democracy?

  It allows bypassing of democratic processes
• By 1930, how often was the Chancellor relying on Article 48?


  Regularly relying on Article 48
• What perception does reliance on Article 48 create?

  Constitution seems weak and undemocratic
• What historical event contributed to the perception of the Weimar Republic?

  The German revolution of 1918-19
• How did the government respond to riots in Berlin during the revolution?

  Used force and relied on the army
• What sentiment did the violent creation of the Weimar Republic foster?

  It wasn't truly the choice of the people
• Which parties opposed the Weimar Constitution?

  Nationalists and Communists
• How is the Weimar Republic viewed by radicals and moderates?

  Radicals oppose it; moderates consider it flawed
• What is the overall perception of the Weimar Republic's creation?

  Created out of violence, lacking public enthusiasm