Weimar Germany: The Constitution Edexcel GCSE History 2A

·         The figurehead of the nation

·         Not involved in day to day politics

·         Could suspend the consitution and rule by decree under Article 48.

·         He could dismiss the Reichstag and call new elections.

·         He had control over the Army.

·         He was voted by secret ballot, by citizens over 20 years old.

·         He would choose the head chancellor

·         The head of government

·         Chose ministers

·         Ran the country

·         To pass laws, majority support was needed by the Reichstag.

·         The German Parliament.

·         The main law-making body of the country.

·         Elected every 4 years.

·         Voted by men and women over 20 years old using secret ballot.

·         Proportional representation- system of voting used-the number of seats a party was given depended on the percentage of votes they gained.

·         This was the local government.

·         It was run by the 18 regions of Germany like Bavaria or Russia.

·         They kept local parliaments.

·         It was the other house of German parliament.

·         They could delay new laws unless overruled by 2/3 majority of the Reichstag.

·         A number of members were sent by each local region, according to the size of the region.

·         Proportional representation- this meant that even a party with few votes could have seat- coalitions were needed. The Reichstag was usually made up of the Social Democrats, People's Party, Democratic Party and Centre Party, but they all wanted different things.

·         The President had too much power-almost like a dictator.

·         Careful balancing of powers meant it was hard to have a strong, decisive government in times of crisis-the chancellor had to ask the presdent to suspend the constitution quite a few times.