31 lugl 1919 anni - Weimar Constitution Approved

Descrizione:

The Weimar constitution in its full and final form was approved by the Assembly on 31 July 1919. The Constitution was a complex document consisting of no fewer than 181 separate articles.
The Constitution was perfect in theory but in practice it had huge flaws. To counterbalance coalition governments, the president was granted enormous powers, e.g. could dissolve the Reichstag (German Parliament) , use the army to put down revolution, could choose the Chancellor and suspend the constitution if he thought there was a danger. These are some of the main points.

**Proportional Representation:**
- Deputies in proportion to votes cast
- Encouraged many small parties
- No overall majority for 14 years
- Weak coalition governments due to multiple parties

**Article 48 (Emergency Powers):**
- Abused by later Presidents (e.g., Hitler)
- Used to govern by edict, ignoring people's rights
- Suspended democratic laws in emergencies

**Democracy:**
- Individual rights guaranteed
- Plebiscites possible with one-tenth population petition
- Federal state with 17 Lander; Prussia largest
- President elected by everyone over 20
- Bicameral parliament with proportional representation

**Problems for the Future:**
- Dependent on supportive spirit
- Opposition from parties, state governments, and public
- Few friends, many enemies

**Opposition from Communist Left and Nationalist Right:**
- Communists opposed SPD for using Freikorps
- KPD contested elections but opposed Republic
- Nationalists disliked political competition and preferred authoritarian government

**Government:**
- Leaders of armed forces, police, civil service opposed Republic
- Many Germans preferred authoritarian government

Aggiunto al nastro di tempo:

Data: