1919-33: The Weimar Constitution | GCSE History Revision | Weimar & Nazi Germany

Summary

This video delves into the complexities of the Weimar Constitution, adopted in 1919 following the fall of the German Empire. It highlights both the strengths, like universal suffrage and democratic principles, and the weaknesses, such as the fragmented Reichstag and reliance on Article 48 for bypassing democratic processes. The challenges of coalition governments and the lack of popular enthusiasm during its creation further fueled opposition, particularly from radical parties. Ultimately, the video raises critical questions about the Weimar Republic’s democratic structure and its vulnerabilities, inviting viewers to debate whether it was destined for failure or simply flawed.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Weimar Republic's constitution was adopted on July 31, 1919, with a vote of 262 to 75.
• 😀 The electorate under the Weimar Constitution includes all men and women aged over 21, who vote for the president every 7 years.
• 😀 The president has significant political powers, including the ability to choose the Chancellor, who heads the German government.
• 😀 The Chancellor chooses ministers, who oversee specific areas like finances and foreign affairs, with the cabinet being the key decision-making body.
• 😀 The Weimar Parliament consists of two houses: the Reichstag and the Reichsrat, with the Reichstag being more powerful and controlling taxation.
• 😀 The electoral system uses proportional representation, which allows smaller parties to gain seats, but often leads to coalition governments.
• 😀 Coalitions in the Reichstag often require compromises, leading to weak and fragmented policies, with nine different coalition governments between 1919-1923.
• 😀 Article 48 of the Constitution allowed the Chancellor to bypass the Reichstag in times of crisis, which was exploited and undermined democracy.
• 😀 By 1930, Article 48 was frequently used, leading to undemocratic governance and the perception that a strong, single leader would be better than a parliament.
• 😀 The Weimar Republic was created amid the German revolution of 1918-19, with violence and military intervention, leading to skepticism about its legitimacy.
• 😀 Some political factions, such as the Nationalists and Communists, opposed the Weimar Constitution, contributing to its instability and vulnerability.

Q & A

What was the key event in Germany on the 31st of July, 1919?

On the 31st of July, 1919, the National Assembly in Germany agreed on a new constitution, which became known as the Weimar Republic.

Who was eligible to vote under the Weimar Constitution?

Under the Weimar Constitution, all men and women over the age of 21 were eligible to vote.

What was the role of the President under the Weimar Constitution?

The President of Germany under the Weimar Constitution had limited day-to-day political power but held significant powers, such as the ability to choose the Chancellor.

What powers did the Chancellor hold in the Weimar government?

The Chancellor was the head of the German government, responsible for choosing all government ministers, who oversaw areas like finances and foreign affairs.

What is the difference between the Reichstag and the Reichsrat?

The Reichstag was the more powerful house, responsible for controlling taxation and elected directly by the people. The Reichsrat represented Germany's regions, with each region sending representatives based on its size.

What is the voting system used in the Reichstag under the Weimar Constitution?

The Reichstag used proportional representation, where a party earned one representative for every 60,000 votes they received.

What were some of the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

Some strengths of the Weimar Constitution included its democratic nature, the reduction of the voting age from 25 to 21, and the use of proportional representation in the Reichstag.

What problems did proportional representation cause in the Weimar Republic?

Proportional representation allowed smaller parties to gain seats in the Reichstag, leading to weak coalition governments, lack of clear policies, and instability, with 29 different parties holding seats in the 1920s.

What was Article 48, and how did it impact the Weimar Constitution?

Article 48 allowed the Chancellor to bypass the Reichstag in times of crisis and pass laws directly through the President. This weakened the democratic process and led to the frequent use of Article 48 by 1930.

Why was the Weimar Republic considered to have been created in a problematic way?

The Weimar Republic was created during the German revolution of 1918-19, with force used by the army to suppress riots, leading to a perception that it was not genuinely chosen by the people.