Problems Facing The Weimar Republic 1919-23 part 1 Flashcards
What happened just before the Weimar Republic was set up?
The virtual parliament are forced to sign an armistice which ends the first world war.
What were the four main problems of the Weimar republic?
1) Weaknesses of the constitution
2) Lack of support from key groups
3) Treaty Of Versailles
4) Violent challenges to the republic
What article of the constitution posed a particular issue for the Weimar republic?
Article 48
Why was article 48 a problem?
Imbalance of power between the president and the Reichstag. Emergency powers were used often, the president didn’t need permission from the Reichstag.
What was the electoral system used by the Weimar republic?
Proportional representation
Why was proportional representation a weakness of the Weimar republic?
It resulted in the formation of coalition governments often comprising many parties. Made the government unstable and the public frustrated with ‘democracy’.
Why was guaranteed free speech a problem for Weimar?
Gave a platform to those who were opposed to Weimar.
What was article 13 of the constitution and why was it a problem?
Federal Law Overrides state law
A problem if state did not support the Republic (bevaria 1923)
Why was the welfare system not as good as it appeared?
created financial pressures, how to pay for a welfare system while also paying reparations and rebuilding Germany after WW1
How was the lack of support from the Army a problem for Weimar?
Ebert made a deal with the army that would make sure the army would defend the government. However this gave the army power over the government and they failed to support the government during the Kapp Putsch.
Why was the lack of Judges support a problem for Weimar?
Were expected to uphold laws of Republic, but could undermine it e.g.
lenient response to Munich Putsch
Why was the lack of ex-soldiers support a problem for Weimar?
Attempt to disband Freikorps led to Kapp Putsch
