Written constitutions are not only likely to give rise to greater problems of interpretation than unwritten ones, but they are also harder to change. The weimar republic is so called because the assembly that adopted its constitution met at weimar from 6 february 1919 to 11 august 1919, but this name only became mainstream after 1933. Choose from 500 different sets of weimar republic history problems flashcards on quizlet. In 191923, extremists on both the left especially the spartacist revolt and the right.
The first president of the republic was friedrich ebert, and he helped decide what the constitution should be like. Article 2 the territory of the reich consists of the territories of the german member states. The government started in 1918, two days before germany surrendered in wwi. The design of a new constitution began in late 1918, following the abdication of kaiser wilhelm ii and the collapse of the monarchy the new government, headed by chancellor friedrich ebert and the social democratic party spd, believed germany should become a democratic republic, in line with their own political values. Basic law for the federal republic of germany deutscher. May 22, 2015 weimar republics new constitution was adopted in august 1919. The weimar constitution a national assembly met in the town of weimar in 1919, to establish a constitution for the new german republic. This is precisely what the weimar republic attempted to do read online download pdf. The last days of world war i and the spartacist revolt. Between 1919 and 1933, there was no single name for the new state that gained widespread acceptance and is the reason why the old name deutsches reich remained, although hardly anyone used it during. The weimar constitution attempted to create a federal republic that tried to combine aspects of presidential and parliamentary systems with a commitment to social justice. Mcelligotts impressive mastery of an enormous body of research guides him on a distinctive path through the dense thickets of weimar historiography to a provocative new interpretation of the nature of authority in germanys first democracy.
Hugo preuss, german political thought and the weimar. Extracts from the weimar constitution, passed in august 1919. The constitution declared germany to be a democratic parliamentary republic with a legislature elected under proportional representation. Weimar republic strengths and weaknesses flashcards. Jun 08, 2012 the constitution of the german reich, usually known as the weimar constitution was the constitution that governed germany during the weimar republic 19191933. Germanywasdeclaredademocraticfederalrepublic democraticuniversalmaleandfemalesuffrage. Excerpts from the weimar constitution facing history and. Perhaps the greatest danger was the weakness within the constitution gave the president, the states and the army too much power, whilst proportional voting meant that the reichstag was divided and weak. People use the term weimar republic to refer to a period in german history between 1919 and 1933 when the government was a democratic republic governed by a constitution that was laid out in the german city of weimar after germanys loss in ww1. Constitution of the weimar republic lesson plan template and teaching resources.
Article 48 of the constitution of the weimar republic of germany 19191933 allowed the president, under certain circumstances, to take emergency measures without the prior consent of the reichstag. The government, composed of members from the assembly, came to be called the weimar coalition and included the spd. Note 6 that is the reason, why the new republic and its constitution colloquially was called the weimar republic and the weimar constitution. The weimar republic began with a collection of wellestablished political parties that had emerged continuously from the empire period. The outstanding feature of this period was the polarization between the unprecedented integration of. There was hyperinflation, the army was unreliable, porportional representation prevented any one party from gaining a majority, there was printing of unbacked currency, longterm bitterness about the treaty of versailles, the weimar republic was an imposition of the enemy, the germany people were kept in the dark about the process and the.
The constitution of the german reich august 11, 1919. In the pre world war i period, only men twentyfive years of age and older had the right to vote, and their elected representatives had very little power. After the sham democracy of kaiser wilhelm ii, the new constitution was a established a true democracy, which turned out to be its biggest achilles heel. Aug 18, 2019 the constitution of the german reich of april 16, 1871, and the law relating to the provisional powers of the reich of february 10, 1919, are hereby annulled. The date given in parentheses is the date of the source, rather than the period or events the source describes. But when a constitution lays down exact procedures for the election of the. Article 73 adds the concept of a referendum to the constitution. The reich constitution of august 11th 1919 weimar constitution with modifications. This power was understood to include the promulgation of emergency decrees notverordnungen. The weimar constitution 1919 extracts from the weimar constitution, passed in august 1919.
Whether it was inevitable or simply bad luck that hitler came to power in 1933. The german people, united in all their racial elements, and inspired by the will to renew and. The new republic emerged following a revolution, resulting in the abdication of wilhelm ii in. Carl schmitt and the weimar constitution oxford handbooks. Today it is called the weimar republic and this period is called the weimar period, because the constitution was made in the city of weimar. The abdication of emperor william ii on november 9, 1918, marked the end of the german empire. Articles 2022 describe the nature of the reichstag and the new voting system and those eligible to vote. Germanys change to a parliamentary republic in 1919 essay 1048 words 5 pages. The weimar constitution was generous with civil rights. Articles 119123 make marriage, motherhood and child welfare into keystones of the new republic. Beginning change change source on november 9, 1918, the republic was proclaimed by philipp scheidemann at the reichstag building in berlin and two hours later a socialist republic was proclaimed. Unwritten constitutions tend to change gradually, continually, and often imperceptibly, in response to changing needs. The condition of the paper varies from slightly browning and stable to very brown and brittle.
The german people, united in all their racial elements, and inspired by the will to renew and strengthen their reich in liberty and justice, to preserve peace at home and abroad and to foster. Weimar republic setup and constitution linkedin slideshare. I have often listened to the debates with real concern, glancing often rather timidly to. Weimar germany 1919 1933 by keila munz and alex salvatore.
Cultural translation of the weimar constitution in china 19191949. The constitution was primarily written by a committee led hugo. Learn weimar republic history problems with free interactive flashcards. What were the main features of the weimar constitution. Articles 2022 describe the nature of the reichstag and. On this day, august 11, in 1919 the weimar republic constitution was adopted, to hold until chancellor adolf hitler and his nationalistsocialist party would transform it into a tyrannical regime. The document is a typewritten copy of good to adequate quality. German transcription deutsches reichsgesetzblatt divided into two sections. The german constitution and its court konradadenauerstiftung. Articles 1097 of the weimar constitution provided germans with their basic rights.
The weimar republic refers to the german government that was formed at weimar, a town in the eastern part of the country, in february 1919, after germanys defeat in world war i. Information and translations of weimar republic in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The anomaly of the weimar republics semipresidential. Goes through the new constitution and analyzes strengths and weaknesses. The outstanding feature of this period was the polarization between the unprecedented integration of the jews in every sphere of life, and the.
A briefer second part, a historiographical essay in seven topical chapters, is followed by a sevenpage chronology, a 676item classified and topical bibliography, and an index. Request pdf hugo preuss, german political thought and the weimar constitution the reputation of hugo preuss has been tainted by the failure of the weimar republic, whose constitution he drafted. Constitution of the weimar republic teaching resources. Weimar germany, 1918191933 the constitution of the german empire of august 11, 1919 weimar constitution. While the reich government still existed in theory after the war, the institutions of the german government were completely destroyed. Weimar republic 1918 1933 a new era in the history of german jewry began when imperial germany collapsed and was replaced by the democratic regime of the weimar republic. The 1949 constitution, which today governs germany, is a slightly amended version of west germanys 1949 constitution. Return to main menu return to weimar and the rise of the nazis submenu this period represents the first phase of three marking the years of crisis, 19191923. The weimar constitution provided for a popularly elected president who was given considerable power over foreign policy and the. The constitution of the german reich usually known as the weimar constitution weimarer verfassung, was the constitution that governed germany during the weimar republic era 19191933.
The weimar constitution attempted to create a federal republic, which tried to combine aspects of presidential and parliamentary systems with a commitment to social justice. The german people united in every respect and inspired by the determination to restore and confirm the reich in liberty and justice, to serve peace at home and peace abroad, and to further social progress, has given itself this constitution. German weimar constitution of 1919 was frequently referred to during committee. Part of the austrian national librarys online law texts alex project. Weimar constitution simple english wikipedia, the free. The following are excerpts from the weimar constitution. Constitution of the weimar republic wikimedia commons. So, the weimar republic is the government system that germany was under during that time. Weimar constitution wikisource, the free online library. Media in category constitution of the weimar republic the following 14 files are in this category, out of 14 total. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The weimar republic s constitution the new german government was called the weimar republic, named after the town outside berlin where it was started. I have often listened to the debates with real concern, glancing often rather timidly to the gentlemen of the right, fearful lest they. About half of kolbs compact book is devoted to a historical survey, chronologically divided at the conventional watersheds of 192324 and 192930. Weimar republic documents this collection of weimar republic documents and extracts was compiled by alpha history authors. This chapter explores carl schmitts response as a political, legal, and constitutional theorist to the permanent crisis of the weimar republic during its shortlived. The flaws of the weimar constitution the majority of people believe that it was the weimar constitution which was fundamentally flawed and that this damaged the long term prospects of the weimar republic, although strong points can be identified in the constitution which support the argument that the constitution wasnt to blame for the republics downfall. Sir ian kershaw, emeritus professor of modern history at the university of sheffield, ukthis study challenges conventional approaches to the history. This document is an english translation of the constitution of the german reich, which established the weimar republic. The states of the weimar republic were effectively abolished after the establishment of nazi germany in 1933 by a series of reichsstatthalter decrees between 1933 and 1935, and autonomy was replaced by direct rule of the national socialist german workers party in the gleichschaltung process.
From a speech by hugo preuss, the liberal lawyer who headed the commission that drew up the constitution, to the weimar assembly, april 1919. Jan 28, 2016 weimar republic setup and constitution 1. Constitution of the weimar republic share my lesson. The flaws of the weimar constitution essay 1195 words. Constitution the fundamental law of the republic of belarus. A comparative analysis of emergency powers in europe. Weimar republics constitution history learning site. Weimar republic, the government of germany from 1919 to 1933, so called because the assembly that adopted its constitution met at weimar from february 6 to august 11, 1919.
The weimar republic abdication of kaiser wilhelm ii spd biggest political party sets up democratic government held elections then met in february 1919 to create a constitution in weimar, germany constitution finished by august 1919 became known as the weimar republic. The german people, united in all their racial elements and inspired by the will to renew and strengthen their reich in liberty and justice, to preserve peace at home and abroad, and to promote social progress, have established the following constitution. Weimar republic simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The constitution technically remained in effect during the third reich from 1933 to 1945. The new constitution was agreed on 31 july 1919, and the weimar republic was born. It provided for equality before the law, and stated explicitly that men and women have the rights and duties as citizens to this day, the u. Women made up more than 52% of the potential electorate, and their support was vital to the new republic. Not created by me something i found elsewhere and edited. However, ebert was committed to democracy and the new constitution had his full support. The influence of the postwar european constitutions on the. The reich constitution of august 11th 1919 weimar constitution with modifications 1 the german people, united in its tribes and inspirited with the will to renew and strengthen its reich in liberty and justice, to serve peace inward and outward and to promote social progress, has adapted this constitution. The other laws and ordinances of the reich shall remain in force in so far as they are not in conflict with this constitution.
On august 11, 1919, friedrich ebert, a member of the social democratic party and the provisional president of the german reichstag government, signs a new constitution, known as the weimar. The weimar republic, proclaimed on november 9, 1918, was born in the throes of military defeat and social revolution. Oct 22, 2011 lesson examining the constitution and government of the weimar republic including comparison activity for germany in 1914 and 1919, and explanation of proportional representation. Between 1919 and 1933, there was no single name for the new state that gained widespread acceptance and is the reason why the old name deutsches reich remained. Reich and states article 1 the german reich is a republic. In january 1919, a national assembly was elected to draft a constitution. Weimar germany, 1918191933 the constitution of the german empire of august 11, 1919 weimar constitution preamble. The history of the german basic law is unique as it originated after wwii and was based on the influence of occupying foreign nations. The weimar constitution gave all men and women twenty years of age the right to vote.
Many historians put the blame for weimars future political problems on this constitution in that, ironically, it was too fair as it included everybody regardless of their political beliefs. The weimar republics constitution the new german government was called the weimar republic, named after the town outside berlin where it was started. Free chaycraft 1066 battle of hastings contenders. In the month following the signing of the treaty, the weimar constituent assembly completed a draft constitution for the new republic, resulting in what was hailed as the most modern democratic constitution of its day. Dr matthews gives a brief outline of the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution and a response to three key questions about this period why was there. Thought it was excellent when i found it so i wanted to share. Bundesverfassungsgericht federal constitutional court federal republic of. The constitution declared germany to be a democratic parliamentary republic. The constitution technically remained in effect during the third reich from 1933 to 1945 the german states official name was deutsches reich until the adoption of the 1949. The new republic emerged following a revolution, resulting in the abdication of wilhelm ii in november 1918. Difference between the weimar republic and weimar constitution. The new weimar republic set up a new constitution system of rules by which a country is governed president elected every 7 years, the president had the power to appoint the chancellor, the president was in charge of the army, article 48 gave the president emergency powers to make laws without asking an elected body such as a parliament.