Early years of the Weimar Republic

Early years of the Weimar Republic

1. Why were they facing so many problems?

   • Germany was politically unstable after the Kaiser abdictated. the country was not used to the democracy
   • The Weimar republic was lead by weak governments
   • People thought the new government had betrayed Germany by surrendering in WW1
   • Opposition parties tried to take over the new republic
   • Radicals (like Adolf hiter ) hated the new Republic and wanted to destroy it

2. The Weimar Constitution

   • The president
     • Elected every 7 years . Appoints chancellor . Can use Article 48 which meant that in an emergency the President could pass any law without asking the Reichstag ( Reichastag is the german Parliment )
   • The Chancellor
     • Appointed by the president. Needs support from the majority of the Reichstag
   • The Reichstag
     • Same as our House of Commons. They have the power to pass ( or reject ) changes to the law. Elected by proportional representation every 4 years
   • The Electrate ( The German voters )
     • All adults over the age of 20 could vote for president and Reichstag

3. Strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar constitution

   • Strengths
     • Political parties recieved the same percentage of seats as they did votes
     • Role of the president of the Weimar Republic was strong
   • Weaknesses
     • A lot of parties in the Parliment
     • Weak governments
     • President had TOO MUCH power
     • Opposition parties were allowed to critise the governement
     • Traditional instituations werent reformed