weimar republic

• what was it?

  -first democratic gov after ww1 following kaiser's abdication
• what was the role of the president?


  -had power to appoint/dismiss chancellor

  -controlled army/navy/airforce

  -could use article 48 to overrule gov and make emergency laws
• what was the role of the chancellor?


  -responsible for healthcare,schooling,taxes ect

  -could be dismissed by president

  -could select all gov ministers
• what was the role of the reichstag?


  -more power than reichstag

  -controlled taxes

  -had elections every 4 years

  -power to create laws but Reichsrat had to agree

  -lower house
• what was the role of the Reichsrat?


  -some powers but limited

  -could advise reichstag on new laws

  -elected reps from all states
• what were the constitutional strengths of weimar republic?


  -very democratic

  -reichstag elected by proportional rep-fairer

  -constitution written so no one person would have all power
• what were constitutional weaknesses of the weimar republic?


  -proportional rep often meant no party to become gov on its own so needed to join with other parties

  -article 48 had power to create dictatorship in all but name

  -law making slow

  -leaders of army wanted monarchy back