Weimar Constitution

Question 1

What was Article 48?

Answer 1

This gave the president the power to act without Parliament’s approval in an emergency.It did not clearly define what an ‘emergency’ was , so the power was overused, which weakened German’s confidence in democracy.

Question 2

How was Article 48 harmful for the republic ?

Answer 2

It gave too much power to the trade unions.It gave the President power to impose emergency , suspend fundamental rights and rule by decree.It prevented the Weimar Republic from forming a stable government.

Question 3

How many times did Ebert use Article 48 ?

Answer 3

He used Article 48 powers on 136 occasions.

Question 4

Did Ebert use Article 48 correctly ?

Answer 4

Some of the occasions Ebert used Article 48 could be deemed to be genuine emergencies but Ebert also used his power in non emergencies.

Question 5

How did Ebert use his power in non emergencies ?

Answer 5

Where he simply wanted to override opposition in the Reichstag.This stopped the Weimar Republic establishing a government that was elected fairly by there German people as the president influenced the elections. This led to an unstable government.

Question 6

What were the undemocratic institutions that survived ?

Answer 6

Army
civil service
judiciary