Weimar constitution

• Weimar Republic


  New republic set up away from the unrest in Berlin, in the small town of Weimar
• Structure of the Republic


  • President elected every 7 years
  • President could choose key ministers, such as the Chancellor
  • President could overrule government and make laws by decree using Article 48
• Government of the Republic


  • Cabinet made political decisions
  • Chancellor led the Cabinet
• Parliament of the Republic


  • Formed from the Reichstag and the Reichsrat
  • Parties given proportional representation
  • Reichstag and Reichsrat elected every 4 years
  • Reichstag more powerful and controlled tax
  • Reichsrat represented each region of Germany
• Electorate of the Republic


  • All men and women over 21 eligible to vote in elections
• Weimar Constitution


  • Constitution drawn up by a Jewish man named Hugo Preuss
  • All men and women over 20 eligible to vote in elections
• Strengths of Weimar Constitution


  • Genuine democracy as all Germans over 20 could vote
  • No one person or group could hold too much power
• Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution


  • Proportional representation meant weak coalitions were the only way to gain power and lead Germany
  • Article 48 allowed President to bypass democracy
  • Strong German states like Prussia still held power through the Reichsrat
• In times of hardship, the Weimar Republic government was unpopular, and in times of prosperity (success), it was popular