Weimar Constitution

• What was the name of the German republic established between 1919 and 1933?

  The Weimar Republic
• What type of political system was the Weimar Republic set up as?

  A representative democracy
• What was one of the main goals of the Weimar Republic's constitution?

  To give genuine power to all German adults
• What were the major flaws in the Weimar constitution that contributed to its downfall?

  Many Germans disliked democracy and the constitution had two major flaws
• What were the strengths of the Weimar constitution?

  • A genuine democracy with elections every four years
  • All Germans over 20 could vote
  • The Reichstag appointed the government and made laws
  • A Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of speech, religion, and equality under the law
• What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?


  • Proportional representation led to many small parties and weak governments
  • Article 48 allowed the president to act without parliament's approval in emergencies, leading to overuse of power
• What was the role of the Reichstag in the Weimar Republic?

  The Reichstag appointed the government and made all laws
• What did Article 48 of the Weimar constitution allow the president to do?

  It allowed the president to act without parliament’s approval in an emergency
• How did the use of proportional representation affect the Weimar government?

  It led to many small parties in Parliament, making it difficult to pass laws
• Why did many Germans have a problem with the idea of democracy during the Weimar Republic?

  Many Germans did not like the idea of democracy
• What was guaranteed by the Bill of Rights in the Weimar constitution?

  Freedom of speech and religion, and equality under the law