Weimar constitution

• Weimar Constitution


  The rule book on how the new German government should be run after World War I
• The Weimar Constitution made Germany one of the freest countries in the world at the time
• Germany was now a democratic state without a Monarchy, taking the title of a Republic
• Features of the Weimar Constitution

  • Strong party
  • Coalition
  • Federal structure: Germany divided into 12 regional states (Lander)
  • Electorate: All men and women over 20 had the right to vote
  • Bill of Rights protecting free speech, religion, and peaceful criticism of government
  • Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system
  • Article 48 allowing the President to suspend civil rights and rule by decree in an emergency
• Role of the President

  Elected every 7 years by the people, with powers to dissolve Parliament, appoint the Chancellor, command the Armed Forces, block laws, and rule by decree in an emergency
• Role of the Chancellor


  Responsible for running the country and deciding laws, but needed support of the majority in Parliament
• Role of Parliament


  The Reichstag was the law-making body elected by the people, while the Reichsrat represented the regional Lander governments
• The Weimar Constitution was viewed initially as the most democratic constitution in the world
• The Weimar Constitution had weaknesses, but was not totally flawed
• The Weimar Republic soon faced difficulties from the Treaty of Versailles and socio-economic problems in Germany