Eleanor Finch
The Bundesrat, or Federal Council, was the highest legislative body in the German Empire (1871-1918). It was composed of representatives from the various states of the German Empire, and its members were appointed by the state governments to represent their interests in the German parliament. The Bundesrat was responsible for enacting laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. The Constitution of the German Empire required that both the Bundesrat and the Reichstag approve laws before they came into force. The Bundesrat's powers included participation in declarations of war and the conclusion of state treaties. It could also dissolve the Reichstag with the Emperor's consent. The Bundesrat's role in the German Empire's constitution was significant, and it played an important part in the country's legislative and administrative processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bundesrat |
| Translation | Federal Council |
| Years Active | 1871–1918 |
| Members | Appointed by state governments |
| Chairman | Chancellor |
| Powers | Legislative initiative, Consent on all bills, Dissolution of the Reichstag with the emperor's consent, Enactment of legal ordinances and general administrative regulations, Determination of deficiencies within the framework of federal oversight, Decision on the initiation of a Reichsexecution, Resolution of disputes between constituent states, Participation in declarations of war with the emperor's consent, Conclusion of state treaties with the emperor's consent |
| Public Interest | Little interest from the general public |
| Public Meetings | No |
| Public Perception | Held in high esteem by experts |
| Voting | Each state allocated a specified number of votes; although a state could appoint as many delegates to the Bundesrat as it had votes, the delegates from each state voted as a bloc |
| Membership | Members could not be a part of both chambers at the same time |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
The Bundesrat's role in the legislative process
The Bundesrat was the highest legislative body in the German Empire (1871-1918). It was a council of representatives of the German states, with each state having a specified number of votes. The number of votes depended on the size and power of the state, with larger and more powerful states having more votes. The Bundesrat was chaired by the chancellor, who was appointed by the emperor, although the chancellor was not a member and had no vote.
The Bundesrat had considerable constitutional power. It had the right of legislative initiative, and its consent was required for all bills, including the budget, for them to become law. It also had the power to dissolve the Reichstag with the emperor's agreement. The Bundesrat was responsible for the enactment of laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. Its approval was required for declarations of war and, with certain limitations, the conclusion of state treaties.
In addition to the Bundesrat, the Reichstag was the other legislative body in the German Empire. The Reichstag was the popularly elected lower house, and it shared the right of legislative initiative with the Bundesrat. While the Reichstag gained power and influence over time, the Bundesrat's importance in everyday constitutional life gradually diminished. However, the two bodies worked together, and both were required to approve laws before they came into force.
Overall, the Bundesrat played a crucial role in the legislative process of the German Empire, with its consent being required for many laws and regulations, including constitutional amendments.
Understanding the Constitution: Amendments Explained
You may want to see also
The Bundesrat's power to dissolve the Reichstag
The Bundesrat was the highest legislative body in the German Empire (1871-1918). It was made up of representatives of the various states, with each state delegation appointed by its state government. The number of votes allocated to each state varied, with larger and more powerful states having more votes. The delegates of the original Bundesrat were usually high-ranking civil servants, not cabinet members.
The Bundesrat was responsible for the enactment of laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. Its approval was required for declarations of war and, with certain limitations, the conclusion of state treaties. The Bundesrat was chaired by the chancellor, who was appointed by the emperor and was not a member of the Bundesrat and had no vote.
The Bundesrat had considerable constitutional power, including the right of legislative initiative. Every bill, including the budget, needed its consent, equaling it to the popularly elected Reichstag. The Bundesrat could also, with the Emperor's agreement, dissolve the Reichstag.
The Bundesrat's power was limited in the revolution of 1918, when the "Council of People's Representatives" restricted the Bundesrat to its administrative functions. The Bundesrat was replaced by the Reichsrat under the Weimar Constitution, ratified on 11 August 1919. The Reichsrat had considerably less influence than the Bundesrat, as it could only veto bills, which could then be overruled by the Reichstag with a two-thirds majority.
Today, the Bundesrat once again has the right of legislative initiative, but its absolute veto power is limited to certain laws that directly affect the federal states. The Bundesrat now occupies an intermediate position in terms of power between the very powerful Bundesrat of the empire and the relatively weak Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic.
Title VII: Understanding Its Place in US Law
You may want to see also
The chancellor's role in the Bundesrat
The Bundesrat was the highest legislative body in the German Empire (1871–1918). The chancellor, appointed by the emperor, was the chairman of the Bundesrat, although he was not a member and had no vote. The chancellor's role was to chair the Bundesrat's meetings and implement its resolutions. The Bundesrat was responsible for the enactment of laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. The Bundesrat's power was of considerable benefit to the chancellor, and in turn, the Bundesrat presented a united front to the outside world.
The Bundesrat was made up of representatives of the various states, with each state allocated a specified number of votes. The delegates of the original Bundesrat were usually high-ranking civil servants, not cabinet members. The number of Prussian votes remained unchanged at 17 throughout the Bundesrat's history, and with Prussia as the largest and most powerful state in the Empire, the chancellor was also nearly always Minister President of Prussia. This gave the chancellor indirect power over the Bundesrat, including the power to dissolve parliament and call for elections.
The Bundesrat legislates alongside the Bundestag, and certain laws and all constitutional changes need the consent of both houses. The Bundesrat must be notified of government legislative initiatives and must respond with a statement before the bill can be discussed in the Bundestag. If the Bundestag approves a bill, it is forwarded to the Bundesrat, which must approve it by a majority vote if the proposed law directly affects the states or requires their participation in enforcement. This is called an 'approval bill'. If the stated condition is not met, this is called an 'objection bill', which becomes law if the Bundesrat does not object within 14 days. The Bundestag can overrule the objection with a majority of its members (Chancellor majority).
In 1918, the Bundesrat's power was limited to its administrative functions, and in 1919, with the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany and the adoption of the Basic Law as the new constitution, the chamber of states was re-established, again under the name 'Bundesrat'. The new Bundesrat occupies an intermediate position in terms of power between the very powerful Bundesrat of the empire and the relatively weak Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic.
The Press Clause: A Constitutional Right?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Bundesrat's relationship with the emperor
The Bundesrat was the highest legislative body in the German Empire, with the power to enact laws and make administrative regulations. The Bundesrat was chaired by the chancellor, who was appointed by the emperor and was responsible for implementing the Bundesrat's resolutions. The chancellor was not a member of the Bundesrat and had no vote. The emperor's role was largely ceremonial, with little political power. However, the Bundesrat could not dissolve the Reichstag without the emperor's consent. The emperor's consent was also required for declarations of war and the conclusion of state treaties.
The Bundesrat was made up of representatives of the various states, appointed by the state governments to represent their interests in the German parliament. The number of representatives from each state depended on the size of its population, with larger and more powerful states having more representatives. The delegates of the original Bundesrat were usually high-ranking civil servants, not cabinet members.
The Bundesrat had considerable constitutional power, which benefited the chancellor. The Bundesrat's members never used their right to speak in the Reichstag to voice an opinion that dissented from the chancellor's. The chancellor treated his Bundesrat colleagues obligingly, and they presented a united front to the outside world.
The Bundesrat's power was limited by the revolution of 1918, which restricted its role to administrative functions. The monarchy ceased to exist after World War I, and the constitution became obsolete. The Bundesrat was re-established after World War II, occupying an intermediate position in terms of power between the very powerful Bundesrat of the empire and the weaker Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic.
The DOJ's Place in the Executive Branch
You may want to see also
The Bundesrat's influence on foreign policy
The Bundesrat was the highest legislative body in the German Empire, with considerable constitutional power. It was made up of representatives of the various states, with each state allocated a specified number of votes. The number of votes depended on the size and power of the state, with larger and more powerful states having more votes. The Bundesrat's presiding officer could break ties.
The Bundesrat was chaired by the chancellor, who was appointed by the emperor and was responsible for implementing the Bundesrat's resolutions. The chancellor was not a member of the Bundesrat and had no vote. The Bundesrat's members were appointed by the governments of Germany's constituent states to represent their interests in the German parliament.
The Bundesrat had the right of legislative initiative, and its consent was required for all bills, including the budget, to become law. It also had the power to dissolve the Reichstag with the emperor's consent. The Bundesrat was responsible for the enactment of laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. Its approval was required for declarations of war and, with certain limitations, the conclusion of state treaties.
In the area of foreign policy, the Bundesrat's influence was limited. The emperor had the power to declare war and make peace, represent the Empire abroad, conclude treaties and alliances, and accredit and receive ambassadors. However, in the case of a non-defensive war being declared, the consent of the Bundesrat was required. The Bundesrat's influence on foreign policy was further limited by the fact that it did not meet in public, and the general public showed little interest in it.
Overall, the Bundesrat played a significant role in the legislative process and had some influence on foreign policy decisions, particularly in declaring war. However, its influence was reduced over time as the position of the Reichstag strengthened.
The Right to Healthcare: Is It in the Constitution?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Bundesrat, or Federal Council, was the highest legislative body in the German Empire (1871-1918). It was made up of representatives of the various states, appointed by the governments of Germany's constituent states to represent their interests in the German parliament.
The Bundesrat was responsible for the enactment of laws, administrative regulations, and the judicial resolution of disputes between constituent states. Its approval was required for declarations of war and, with certain limitations, the conclusion of state treaties. The Bundesrat was also allowed to dissolve the Reichstag with the emperor's consent.
The Bundesrat and the popularly elected Reichstag were the two legislative bodies of the German Empire. The Constitution of the German Empire required that both the Bundesrat and the Reichstag approve laws before they came into force. The Reichstag's power strengthened over time, while the Bundesrat's importance in everyday constitutional life gradually diminished.
