1871 Constitution Flashcards
What was the role of the Kaiser under the 1871 constitution?
Hereditary monarch
What powers did the Kaiser have?
Appointed/dismissed chancellor and other ministers
Could call/dissolve the Reichstag
Command the army directly
Gave assent to laws
Had the final say in any dispute over the constitution
What control did the Kaiser have over foreign policy?
Right to make treaties
Could form alliances
Could declare war if attacked
What role did the Kaiser play in policy making?
Devised policies and laws in consultation with his chosen chancellor, ministers and Bundesrat
What powers did the chancellor have?
Was appointed and dismissed by the Kaiser
Responsible only to the Kaiser, not to the Reichstag
Decided outlines of policy with the Kaiser/Bundesrat - were not required to take account of the Reichstag’s view
Chancellor (and Kaiser) gave assent to all laws
How were members of the Reichstag appointed?
Elections held every three years by an indirect voting system which varied in different regions
Elected by males over 25 years - universal male suffrage
What powers did the Reichstag have?
Deputies had the right of free speech
Gave consent to all laws - including the annual budget which assessed the raising and spending of taxes
Could question, debate, agree to or reject a law proposed by the chancellor
How were the Reichstag’s powers limited?
Could not amend a law
Could not demand the dismissal of the chancellor or any other ministers
Who did the Bundesrat consist of?
58 representatives from the 25 state governments in proportion to size of state - Prussia, as the largest state, had 17 members
What powers did the Bundesrat have?
Could initiate legislation
Decisions decided by majority vote except for any proposal to alter the constitution, which needed a majority of 14
Had to approve new laws
Could veto all legislation except a budget approved by the Reichstag
Had to give approval to the Kaiser for a declaration of war - in cases where Germany was not under attack
