Germany- creation of constitution Flashcards
when were elections for the constituent assembly held
19 Jan 1919
why did the new order get named ‘Weimar Republic’
assembly met in Weimar not Berlin
who was elected president and chancellor
President- Ebert
Chancellor- Scheidemann
when was Sheidemann chancellor
Feb-June 1919
who drew up the new constitution
Hugo Preuss
when did the Reichstag vote for constitution and how many voted for/against
31 July 1919, 262 for, 75 against
when did Ebert ratify the constitution
11 August 1919
how many years did they vote for new president
7 years
how much support did the Chancellor have to have from the Reichstag
at least 50%
what was the Reichsrat
Second chamber of German parliament
in vote for Reichstag, how many votes was one seat
60k
what is a lander
a local state of germany
strengths of Weimar Constitution in 1919
-more democratic than other governments
-provided wider right to vote
-system of proportional representation
-clearly set out rights of individuals
-referendums could be called by anyone
weaknesses of constitution- proportional representation
-proportional representation meant that
a) smaller, anti-republican parties got votes, further dividing government
b) coalition governments, meant decisions took longer to make
weaknesses of constitution- rule by presidential decree
- power struggle between president and reichstag
- article 48 gave president power to rule by decree
