Establishment of the Republic (CH1)

Question 1

What’s a Republic?

Answer 1

• A form of government where the citizens have power
• They exercise the power by voting and electing representatives to make decisions and govern

Question 2

What is a constitution?

Answer 2

• The basis principals and laws of a nation
• A new set of rules would be very important to Germany

Question 3

What did the constitution include?

Answer 3

The bill of rights - guaranteed German citizens freedom of speech, religion and equality
The vote - Every man and woman above the age of 20 could vote (very democratic)
Parliament - Elected president and elected Reichstag

Question 4

What are the strengths of the Weimar government?

Answer 4

• All Germans had equal rights and could vote
• Very democratic
• Proportional representation was very fair as it ensured that all parties had the same percentage of seats in the parliament as they did in the elections
• Article 48 gave strong powers to the president
• Each state had its own elected assembly to represent local interests and traditions

Question 5

What were the weaknesses of the Weimar government?

Answer 5

• In 1919 many people wanted the Republic to fail and they also had the right to vote (too racial)
• PR created instability as parties could rarely agree leading to slow decision-making.Iit leads to a range of small parties and the need for a coalition government (can be weak and hard to get clear direct policies)
• Article 48 made Germany vulnerable to dictatorship. They never stated what an emergency was.
• States could be hostile or oppose the national government.

Question 6

What were the key features of the Weimar Consitution

Answer 6

• Germany becomes a democracy
• President is elected every 7 years (Appoints the chancellor, can dissolve the Reichstag, calls elections, use A48 to rule
• All Germans above 20 votes
• Elections held under proportional representation
• Freedom of speech