The Weimar Consitution

Created by: Holly
Created on: 25-03-13 12:22


	The Weimar Consitution
	Advantages All Germans had equal rights, including the right to vote. Proportional representation was a fair way of giving seats in the Reichstag to all political parties who had gained votes. Each area of Germany still had its own powers and could look after its own affairs. The President was elected fairly by the people. A strong President was necessary to control the government and get things done, especially in a crisis.	Disadvantages The President had too much power and he could use Article 48 to become a dictator. In 1919, there were many enemies of the Weimar Government in Germany, if they had the vote they might use it to get rid of the government. Proportional Representation meant there were many parties in the Reichstag and no one party was in overall control. They had to agree to work together and they were always falling out. The Government was therefore not strong or stable. Local parts of Germany might not like the Weimar Government and they would have the power to try and get rid of it. Leaders of the army, many judges and some senior civil servants did not like the Weimar Constitution. They were more traditional and right-wing. They wanted a return to one single leader.
	Evaluation To conclude, the Weimar Constitution did have some advantages going towards it,however it is clear that the disadvantages majorly out weigh the decisions made by the Government. The way the President was elected improved the country as well seen as the Tsar was not and everyone disagreed with that.However, the disadvantages show that there were some serious problems with the constitution that were dangerous. Including the fact that, having so many political parties involved meant that there was always arguments and disagreements on what should happen. This meant the Weimar Republic was not stable or strong and so lacked any backbone in supporting Russia. Also, many people of power objected to the Weimar and this is dangerous. For example, the leaders of the army hold considerable power and have access to all the military so could easily take it within its own hands to destroy the Weimar. This is dangerous for the country and could cause another revolution due to the levels of opposition.

The Weimar Consitution

Advantages

All Germans had equal rights, including the right to vote.
Proportional representation was a fair way of giving seats in the Reichstag to all political parties who had gained votes.
Each area of Germany still had its own powers and could look after its own affairs.
The President was elected fairly by the people.
A strong President was necessary to control the government and get things done, especially in a crisis.

Disadvantages

The President had too much power and he could use Article 48 to become a dictator.
In 1919, there were many enemies of the Weimar Government in Germany, if they had the vote they might use it to get rid of the government.
Proportional Representation meant there were many parties in the Reichstag and no one party was in overall control. They had to agree to work together and they were always falling out. The Government was therefore not strong or stable.
Local parts of Germany might not like the Weimar Government and they would have the power to try and get rid of it.
Leaders of the army, many judges and some senior civil servants did not like the Weimar Constitution. They were more traditional and right-wing. They wanted a return to one single leader.

Evaluation

To conclude, the Weimar Constitution did have some advantages going towards it,however it is clear that the disadvantages majorly out weigh the decisions made by the Government. The way the President was elected improved the country as well seen as the Tsar was not and everyone disagreed with that.However, the disadvantages show that there were some serious problems with the constitution that were dangerous. Including the fact that, having so many political parties involved meant that there was always arguments and disagreements on what should happen. This meant the Weimar Republic was not stable or strong and so lacked any backbone in supporting Russia. Also, many people of power objected to the Weimar and this is dangerous. For example, the leaders of the army hold considerable power and have access to all the military so could easily take it within its own hands to destroy the Weimar. This is dangerous for the country and could cause another revolution due to the levels of opposition.

WJEC

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The Weimar Consitution