Weimar Republic

• The Weimar Republic was established in the small town of Weimar after politicians moved away from the unrest in Berlin.
• The President of the Weimar Republic was elected every 7 years and had the power to choose key ministers, such as the Chancellor.
• Using Article 48, the President could overrule his government and make laws by decree.
• Beneath the President of the Weimar Republic was the government, which made political decisions and was led by the Chancellor.
• Beneath the government of the Weimar Republic was parliament, which was formed from the Reichstag and the Reichsrat.
• In parliament, parties were given ‘proportional representation’, meaning that the party’s seats reflected the number of votes it received.
• The Reichstag and Reichsrat were elected every 4 years.
• The Reichstag was more powerful and controlled tax.
• The Reichsrat represented each region of Germany.
• According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 were eligible to vote in elections.
• The constitution was drawn up by a Jewish man named Hugo Preuss.
• The Weimar Republic was a genuine democracy because all Germans over 20 could vote.
• The Weimar constitution was strong because no one person or group could hold too much power.
• The Weimar Constitution’s weaknesses outweighed its strengths because proportional representation meant that weak coalitions were the only way to gain power and lead Germany.
• Article 48 was a weakness because it meant that the President could bypass democracy.
• The Weimar Constitution was weak because strong German states, such as Prussia, still held power through the Reichsrat.