The Constitution

• August 1919

  Ebert signed the Weimar Constitution into law

  Federal Republic with a President as head of state instead of a Kaiser

  Divided Germany into states which had their own governments
• Universal Suffrage

  All adults over 20 could vote

  All German citizens had equal rights (religion, right to own private property etc.)
• Reichstag

  Elected every 4 years by proportional representation

  President was head of state and was re-elected every 7 years

  Day-to-day government was the Chancellor’s responsibility who was appointed and dismissed by the president
• Article 48

  In crisis the Constitution gave the President emergency powers (Article 48) to pass decrees which did not need the approval of the Reichstag

  Ebert used this this 136 times while in office

  Saved the Weimar Republic from uprisings, allowed the President to act swiftly and mobilise the army

  Some criticised it for making the President too powerful during crises
• Chancellor needed the support of half of the Reichstag to pass new laws
• January 1919 Elections

  18 Different parties that won seats in the Reichstag

  Ebert’s social democratic Party won 38% of the seats (largest party)

  Did not win the majority

  Led to coalitions being formed with smaller parties which often to slow decision making and ineffective government

  Total of 7 different coalitions with different Chancellors between 1919 and 1923