Germany was politically
unstable after the Kaiser
abdictated. the country was
not used to the democracy
The Weimar republic was lead by
weak governments
People thought the new
government had betrayed
Germany by surrendering in
WW1
Opposition parties tried to
take over the new republic
Radicals (like Adolf hiter ) hated
the new Republic and wanted to
destroy it
The Weimar Constitution
The president
Elected every 7 years . Appoints chancellor . Can use
Article 48 which meant that in an emergency the
President could pass any law without asking the
Reichstag ( Reichastag is the german Parliment )
The Chancellor
Appointed by the president. Needs support
from the majority of the Reichstag
The Reichstag
Same as our House of Commons. They
have the power to pass ( or reject )
changes to the law. Elected by
proportional representation every 4
years
The Electrate ( The German voters )
All adults over the age of 20 could vote for president and Reichstag
Strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar constitution
Strengths
Political parties
recieved the same
percentage of seats as
they did votes
Role of the president of
the Weimar Republic was
strong
Weaknesses
A lot of parties in
the Parliment
Weak governments
President had TOO
MUCH power
Opposition parties were
allowed to critise the
governement