Weimar Constitution

Weimar Constitution

1. Main features

   • The President was elected every seven years and was incharge of the arm forces
   • Bill of Rights meant that everyone had:
     • Freedom of speech
     • Freedom of press
     • Freedom to meet
     • Freedom from arrest without a good excuse
   • The Reichstag elected every 4 years. Each party got 1 seat for every 60,000 votes

2. Strengths of the constitution

   • All Germans had an equal vote including rights
   • Proportional representation made sure parties had the same number of seat as 60,000 votes.
   • Provides a strong leader.
   • Each state had its own elected assembly represent local interest

3. Weakness of the constitution

   • The President was in control of the arm forces so he could take of the country
   • The president could ignore the Reichstag and the Chancellor if they couldn't agree using Article 48 which meant in a case of emergency he could make new laws
   • The president could dismiss the chancellor if they didn't agree