Weimar Republic Early Years Flashcards
Who had the most power in the new Weimar Constitution?
President, elected every 7 years
How was the Chancellor chosen?
Appointed by the President from the largest party in the Reichstag
How were seats allocated in the Reichstag?
Proportional Representation
What did Proportional Representation prevent?
Prussian dominance
Strengths of the Weimar Constitution?
Small parties get a voice, no Prussian dominance, PR gets the population more engaged, bill of rights introduced
What was the Bill of Rights?
Freedom of speech, personal liberty, equality and religious freedom
What was Article 48?
President could rule by decree
What was Article 25?
President could dissolve the Reichstag
How many times did Ebert use Article 48?
136 times
Weakness of the Weimar Constitution?
President and Reichstag elected which would cause competing mandates, a lot of parties which makes getting a majority hard, coalitions formed, extremists could get seats easily
Which party had the most votes in 1919?
SPD with 38% of the vote
How much was Germany in debt by 1919?
1.44 billion marks
Solutions to debt?
Raise taxes or reduce spending, both VERY unpopular and fuelled the people turning to the Black Market
What caused the debt to shrink?
Inflation
Social issues Weimar had to solve?
Injured soldiers requiring welfare payments, unemployment and pensions