The Weimar Constitution

• Opinions of the Political System

  • ‘Forced’ democracy - associated with the loss of the war
  • Most advanced political system 
  • Gave left power
• Role of the President

  • elected every 7 years by the Reichstag
  • He controlled the army and elected a chancellor
  • Could implement article 48.
• What was Article 48

  The president could suspend the constitution in an emergency and rule by himself
• Article 54

  The chancellor and Reichsrat must obtain the support of the Reichstag before implementing legislation
• Role of the Reichstag

  • main legislative body
  • Elected by proportional representation
• How was voting done

  • 60,000 votes equalled 1 deputy in the Reichstag
  • Proportional representation made representative coalition governments
• What were the German civil rights

  Guaranteed freedom of religion, trade unions, political parties etc
• What were the problems with the constitution

  • Proportional representation meant parties, who had no history of co-operation, had to compromise with one another 
  • Article 48 was used in undemocratic ways
• What period was Ebert President

  1919 - 1925
• What period was Hindenburg president

  1925 - 1932 (death)
• Chancellor Ebert

  1918-19
• Chancellor Scheidemann

  1919
• Chancellor Cuno

  1922-23
• Chancellor Stresemann


  1923
• Chancellor Muller

  1928-30
• Chancellor bruning

  1930-32
• Chancellor Papen

  1932
• Chancellor Schleicher

  1932-33
• Chancellor Hitler

  1933