strengths and weaknesses of the weimar constitution

• when was the Democratic government established?

  31st july 1919
• strengths of the Weimar constitution?

  • proportional representation made sure small parties had a fair share of seats
  • women were able to vote as well as men
  • voting age reduced from 25 to 21
  • no one group or person could have too much power
  • There was an election for president every 7 years
  • Central government was more powerful but local government retained power in regions
  • the Reichsrat could regulate the power of the Reichstag by delaying new lays
• what were weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?

  • proportional representation led to coalition governments that were unstable
  • lack of strong government led to weakness in a crisis that ended up with the president passing on laws without prior consent of the Reichstag
  • Article 48 of the constitution enabled the president to do this
  • it was not the choice of the people so was not that popular