Weimar Republic Flashcards
what was the weimar republic?
The Weimar Republic was the democratic government of Germany established after World War I. Named after the city of Weimar, where the new constitution was drafted in 1919.
Marked a significant shift from the previous imperial rule to a democratic system.
Faced numerous challenges during its existence, ultimately leading to its downfall in 1933.
structure
Federal parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state and a chancellor as the head of government.
The Reichstag (parliament) was elected by the people and had significant legislative powers.
strengths
Freedom of speech, press, and assembly were guaranteed by the constitution.
Women gained the right to vote for the first time in German history.
weaknesses
The proportional representation system led to the rise of several small parties, making coalition governments common and often unstable. The political climate was polarised, and extremist groups posed threats to the democratic order.
