Lecture Notes: The Weimar Constitution and Republic

Date: July 31, 1919

Introduction

• A National Assembly in Germany agreed on a new constitution.
• Known as the Weimar Republic.
• Constitution passed by 262 votes to 75 votes.

Electorate and Voting

• Electorate includes all men and women over 21.
• Voters elect a president every 7 years.

Role of the President

• President does not partake in daily politics but has certain powers.
• Chooses the Chancellor, head of the German government.

Government Structure

• Chancellor: Head of the government, selects all government ministers.
• Ministers: Oversee specific areas like finances or foreign affairs.
• Cabinet: Comprised of most important ministers; key decision-making body.

Weimar Parliament

• Consists of two houses: Reichstag and Reichsrat.
• Elections every four years.

Reichstag

• More powerful house.
• Controls taxation.
• Directly elected by the people.

Reichsrat

• Represents German regions.
• Number of representatives depends on region size.

Strengths of the Weimar Constitution

• Democratic system, more inclusive than under the Kaiser or in Britain at the time.
• Voting age reduced from 25 to 21.
• Utilizes proportional representation (PR): 1 representative per 60,000 votes in the Reichstag.
• Checks and balances prevent concentration of power.

Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution

• Proportional Representation: Easier for smaller parties to gain seats, leading to fragmented Reichstag.
• Frequent absence of majority governments leads to coalition governments.
• Coalitions often require compromises, lacking strong policies, and frequently fall apart.
• In times of crisis, coalitions struggle to make swift decisions.

Article 48

• Allows the Chancellor to bypass Reichstag in crises, passing laws through the President.
• Exploited, undermining democracy and weakening the Constitution.

Historical Context and Challenges

• Constitution emerged from the 1918-19 German revolution.
• Government used force and the army to suppress riots.
• Lacked public enthusiasm and faced opposition from radical parties like Nationalists and Communists.
• Considered flawed by moderates.

Conclusion

• The Weimar Republic was established through violence, without solid public support.
• Encourages debate about democracy and its effectiveness.

Additional Resources

• Quizlet flashcards and practice questions linked in the description.
• Follow on Twitter for updates: @alongtimeago_yt

These notes summarize the key points from the lecture on the Weimar Republic and Constitution, capturing the historical context, structure, strengths, and weaknesses of the system, as well as the political dynamics in post-WWI Germany.