Early Years of the Weimar Republic - The Weimar Constitution

Question 1

Argument in favour for the granting of emergency powers to the president

Answer 1

Problems can be solved quickly in order to allow other things to be done

Question 2

Arguments against the granting of emergency powers to the president

Answer 2

-Gives president access to doctoral powers in an ‘emergency’ which could cause huge issues if a president decides to abuse the power
-The president can declare an ‘emergency’ himself

Question 3

Specific aspects of the Weimar constitution which could become sources of instability

Answer 3

-A head of state is elected every 7 years
-Very difficult for one party to get an overall majority in the Reichstag

Question 4

Why might the formation of coalition governments be difficult with the political parties?

Answer 4

-Coalition partners had to compromise their political programmes to form a working majority
-The influence of coalition governments became disproportionate to their electoral support