DS Was the Weimar Republic doomed from the start? Flashcards
What is First Past the Post?
In a first past the post electoral system, small elections are held in different regions of the country. The candidate who gets the most votes in each region is elected to a seat in parliament
What is Proportional Representation?
In an electoral system that uses proportional representation parties are unlikely to gain a majority on their own. Therefore, if they want to pass laws, they may have to team up with other parties to have more than 50% of the seats. Teaming up in this way is called a coalition government.
What happened in january 1919
Free Elections to choose a new parliament (Reichstag) took place. The new president of the Weimar Republic was Friedrich Ebert, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD).
After this election, a coalition was formed between the SPD, the DDP and the Centre Party. Combined they had over 75% of the seats meaning that legislation (laws) could be passed.
weaknesses of a proportional representation electoral system
Strengths of the Weimar Constitution
-democratic
-more people were able to vote as age limit went from 25 to 21, poeple felt they could have more of a voice and felt included
-Article 48, allows the President to pass laws withought the support of the Reichstag. This makes it easier in terms of a crisis where the president can make clear, swift decisions to solve the problem.
Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution
-proportional representation which means smaller parties find it easier to gain seats in the Reichstag, causes weakness as often there are no majority government (one party holds more then half of seats)
-the president might abuse his power under article 48 and make the constitution seam very undemocratic.
- if chancellor cannot get the support of the Reichstag he will be unable to pass any laws or other measures.
The Constitution of the Weimar Germany (Rules and date)
It was signed into law in August 1919 by Elbert. The constitution is a set of fundamental rules for how a country’s government works.
Rules:
The President is elected every 7 years. They control the army but would not generally pass his own laws. Any law that the President did suggest would have to be supported by the Reichstag.
All Germans over the age of 21 vote in elections by proportional representation. These elections appoint political parties to “seats” in the Reichstag.
The parties elected to the Reichstag vote on new laws. Over 50% of the vote is required in order for a new law to pass.
The Chancellor is the head of the Reichstag. They are generally the leader of the largest party. They are appointed by the President.
State governments exist in each region (state) in Germany. They have the power to create their own laws that reflect the views of their region but they can be overruled by the Reichstag if the Reichstag disagrees with their laws.
Article 48 - In an emergency the President could trigger Article 48 which would enable the Chancellor to pass their own laws without the support of the Reichstag.
How did Germany emerge from defeat at the end of the First World War?
What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Republic?
To what extent did the Republic recover after 1923?
What were the achievements of the Weimar period?
