The Weimar Republic

1.1.2

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The Structure of the Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic faced a number of difficulties in the 1920s and 1930s. You could say that in times of hardship, the government was unpopular, and in times of prosperity (success), it was popular.

To set up the new republic away from the unrest in Berlin, politicians moved to the small town of Weimar, where a new government was created.

The structure of the Weimar Republic

At the head of the Republic was the President.
- The President was elected every 7 years.
- The President had the power to choose key ministers, such as the Chancellor.
- Using Article 48, the President could overrule his government and make laws by decree.

The structure of the Weimar Republic - government

Beneath the President was the government.
- The Cabinet made political decisions. The Chancellor led the Cabinet.

The structure of the Weimar Republic - parliament

Beneath the government was parliament. This was formed from the Reichstag and the Reichsrat.
In parliament, parties were given ‘proportional representation’.
- This meant that the party’s seats reflected the number of votes it received.
The Reichstag and Reichsrat were elected every 4 years.
The Reichstag was more powerful and controlled tax.
The Reichsrat represented each region of Germany.

The structure of the Weimar Republic - electorate

Beneath the parliament was the electorate.
- According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 were eligible (had the right) to vote in elections.

The Weimar Constitution

According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 were eligible to vote in elections. The new constitution was drawn up by a Jewish man named Hugo Preuss.

Strengths of the Weimar Constitution

The Weimar Republic was a genuine democracy. This was because all Germans over 20 could vote.
The constitution was strong because no one person or group could hold too much power.

Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution

But you could argue that the Weimar Constitution’s weaknesses outweighed (were greater than) its strengths.
- Proportional representation meant that weak coalitions were the only way to gain power and lead Germany.
- Article 48 was a weakness because it meant that the President could bypass (avoid and go around) democracy.
- The Constitution was weak because strong German states, such as Prussia, still held power through the Reichsrat.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW11.1.2The Weimar Republic1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar1.1.5Weimar Recovery1.1.6Weimar Living Standards1.1.7Weimar Culture1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-19292.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews4.2.3The Death Camps4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

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