Early Weimar - The Weimar Constitution Flashcards
1
Q
Why did the Constituent Assembly meet in Weimar and not Berlin?
A
Spartacist Uprising ongoing
2
Q
Which parties formed first coalition government?
A
- SPD
- Centre
- DDP
3
Q
DDP meaning?
A
German Democratic Party
4
Q
DVP meaning?
A
German People’s Party
5
Q
DNVP meaning?
A
German National People’s Party
6
Q
SPD meaning?
A
Social Democratic Party
7
Q
Define ‘proportional representation’
A
% of votes = % of seats in Reichstag
8
Q
List strengths of the Weimar Constitution
A
- Women can vote
- proportional representation
- Localised and centralised democracies
- ‘all Germans equal before the law’
- Easy to call referendums
9
Q
List weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution
A
- proportional representation
- proliferation of smaller parties
- coalition governments
- enabled rule by Presidential Decree
10
Q
What was Article 48?
A
Gave President power to rule without government
11
Q
How many times did Ebert use Article 48?
A
136
12
Q
What was the Reichsrat?
A
Government with representatives from each German State
13
Q
How can referendums be called?
A
- President
- Reichsrat
- 10% of electorate
14
Q
How long were governments meant to be in control for?
A
Four years
15
Q
Why was the army undemocratic?
A
- Not loyal to Weimar
- Meddled in politics
