1.4 Strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Government and its constitution Flashcards
What were the positives of democracy in Germany?
Everyone over the age of 20 could vote for the Reichstag every 4 years, state assemblies every 4 years, and for the President every 7 years.
They could also vote on plebiscites (a referendum) if arranged
What were the negatives of democracy in Germany?
The republic faced serious opposition from the German people who did not want democracy to succeed. These people also had the right to vote, so they were able to vote for parties that wanted to destroy the democratic system
What were the positives of Proportional Representation?
Under the new system, seats were awarded according to the percentage of votes gained. So if a party won 10% of the votes they would get 10% of the seats in the Reichstag.
This was fair and all parties received representation.
What were the negatives of Proportional Representation?
Proportional Representation led to many smaller parties in the Reichstag. No single party could get a majority so they had to form coalitions. This led to a weak and unstable government.
No party ever got a majority during Weimar elections. This caused further instability for an already unstable beginning.
What were the positives of the President’s role?
A strong president could protect the country in times of crisis and could act as a check on the power of the Reichstag.
In Weimar Germany, the president was elected every 7 years.
He had the power to appoint/dismiss the Chancellor and could dissolve the Reichstag and arrange new elections
What were the negatives of the President’s role?
In an emergency, he could enact Article 48 which would allow him to issue laws without the Reichstag’s consent and override the constitutional rights of the German people.
What were the positives of the Chancellor’s role?
The Chancellor needed a majority in the Reichstag, so their appointment was democratic
What were the positives of Article 48?
It allowed the president to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag. In times of unrest, this could be used to make laws so the government could continue.
What were the positives of the federal system?
17 states who ran the major services in their states - education, police. If necessary, in an emergency, the national or federal government could intervene
What were the negatives of the federal system?
Individual states could oppose the national government and try and remove it
