The establishment of the Weimar constitution 1919 Flashcards
(17 cards)
Who would the head of state be ?
The president
How often did a president get elected ?
Every 7 years
Would the president be in charge of the armed forces ?
YES
What else could the president do ?
- Could APPOINT and DISMISS MINISTERS
- could dissolve (close down) the REICHSTAG
- could call new ELECTIONS
- Had reserve powers to rule WITHOUT the Reichstag’s CONSENT in an EMERGENCY
Who else would the president appoint ? ( 2nd in command)
The chancellor
What did the Chancellor need to become chancellor ?
- Had to have the support of at least half the Reichstag
What was the chancellors job ?
- propose new laws to Reichstag
Who provides advice to the chancellor ?
the REICHSTRAT
What was the Reichsrat ?
- second chamber
- made up of representatives from the separate states ( Lander)
How could landers represent themselves ?
(Reichsrat)
- Each lander represented in proportion to population
- No lander could have more than 40% of the seats
Role of the Reichsrat ?
- provide advice on laws
What overruled the Reichsrat ?
- The Reichstag
Was the constitution of the new German republic Democratic or Undemocratic ?
- Democratic
What were some of the voting rights of the constitution ?
- ALL German men and women over the age of 20, had the right to VOTE for:
The President, Reichstag and local Elections
How were seats in the Reichstag allocated ?
- By PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
What is PROPORTIONAL REPRESENATION ?
- Each party ALLOCATED a share of DEPUTIES in the Reichstag in line with its VOTES received
What important rights did the constitution guarantee ?
- equality before the law ( everyone treated equally by the law)
- free speech
- to belong to trade unions and political parties
