Creation of a Republic

Weimar Constitution

Weimar was the place chosen for the Constitutional Convention because it represented Germany’s culture rather than its militarism, which Berlin did. Berlin was also too unstable. Weimar seemed to signal a break with the past and suggest a new kind of future.

Germany's left wing parties

SPD (moderate), USPD (radical) and KPD (Communist). These tended to attract more working class voters.
The left wing believed in greater economic and social equality, wealth redistribution, more taxation to spend on public services, and greater workers’ rights.

Germany's centre parties

DDP and Zentrum (largely Catholic parties but with a wide range of supporters and views. Generally pro Weimar Republic).
The centre held liberal ideas such as individual and economic freedom, a more equal distribution of wealth, and some taxation for public services.

Germany's right wing parties

DVP, DNVP.
The right wing was conservative. It favoured authoritarian leaders, low taxation, traditional values, less equality and most were monarchists.

Political turmoil pre-convention

The USPD had left the government in December 1918.
The Spartacist revolt took place in Berlin from January 4-15, 1919. It was suppressed by the army and Freikorps with Ebert’s full support. Over 100 workers were killed.
Left wing parties were bitterly divided over Ebert’s actions. The KPD never forgave the SPD. The USPD split: some joined the KPD, others the SPD.

January 1919 elections

In January 1919 there were elections for the German Constituent Assembly.
The KPD boycotted them. Political parties that later voted for the constitution won 77% of the vote: the SPD had 38%, the Z and BVP 20%, the DDP 19%.

Historical assessment

Historian Carr (1987): ‘The Republic was widely accepted by many Germans … as a convenient means of filling the void left by the collapse of monarchy.’

Terms of the Weimar Constitution

Weimar was the place chosen for the Constitutional Convention. Weimar seemed to signal a break with the past and suggest a new kind of future.

The Reichstag

The constitution established a democratic, parliamentary republic in which everyone 20 or older voted every four years for a new parliament, and every seven for a president.
Proportional Representation encouraged political participation by giving influence to minority views.
A coalition government was the usual outcome.
Changes of government happened more than every four years and so did elections. A change of government didn’t necessarily mean an election.

The Chancellor

The Chancellor was the party leader who could persuade other political parties to work with them. This involved a lot of compromise and deals could break down.

The president

The president was elected every seven years by a popular vote.
Presidential powers included: appointing or dismissing the chancellor; dissolving the Reichstag, calling for new elections and commanding the army.
Article 48 of the Constitution was significant. In emergencies, Article 48 was invoked to allow the president to rule by decree.
The Reichstag had to be informed of all measures the president took under Article 48 and could revoke them.

Länder and the Reichsrat

Germany was a federal state. The Länder (local states e.g. Bavaria) ran major services like education and the police.
All state monarchs were replaced in November 1918.
In an emergency, the federal (national) government could intervene in the Länder.
The Reichsrat was the second chamber of the federal government. There were 67 members from 17 Länder.
The Reichsrat could advise the Reichstag and reject new laws but could be overruled by the Reichstag.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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