Weimar Constitution

Question 1

What was the Weimar Republic?

Answer 1

The name given Germany between 1919-1933.

Refers to a period of democracy in Germany

Question 2

What powers did the president of the Weimar Republic have?

Answer 2

• to select and dismiss the chancellor
• to lead the armed forces
• dissolve the reichstag and call new elections
• to rule via presidential decree in the event of an emergency (article 48)

Question 3

Describe the system that was that was used to conduct elections in Germany

Answer 3

Proportional representation - seats allocated in parliament which people vote

Question 4

Which rights did the Weimar constitution protect?

Answer 4

• freedom of association, speech and religion
• the right to work; the government had to ensure everyone had a job
• right to own property

Question 5

Which traditional institutions in Weimar Germany remained unreformed, powerful conservative forces?

Answer 5

The civil service, army universities and judiciary

Question 6

Name 3 positive features of the Weimar republics constitution

Answer 6

• it was very democratic with an elected head of state and a parliament elected by proportional representation
• contains checks and balances to try and make sure no on part of the political system could become too powerful
• it protected many basic civil rights

Question 7

Name 3 criticisms of the Weimar republics constitution

Answer 7

• it gave away too much power to the president allowing him to suspend civil rights in emergency
• proportional representation led to a fragmented party system with lots of small splinter parties and making it difficult to form stable coalition government