Eleanor Finch
The Weimar Constitution was signed on 11 August 1919 by Friedrich Ebert, the first president of Germany. The constitution was drafted by the National Assembly, which met in Weimar from 6 February 1919. The assembly's principal task was to provide a new constitution for Germany, which was facing economic and political upheaval following its defeat in World War I. The Weimar Constitution was considered the most modern democratic constitution of its day, providing for a popularly elected president with substantial powers. However, it also included provisions that would later enable the rise of Nazi Germany.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date signed | 11 August 1919 |
| Location | Weimar, Germany |
| Type of government | Representative democracy |
| Type of constitution | Unitary Reich |
| Number of articles | 181 |
| Number of chapters | 2 |
Explore related products
$18.36 $19.99
What You'll Learn
The Weimar Constitution was signed on 11 August 1919
The national assembly met in Weimar on 6 February 1919, and Ebert was elected president of the Reich on 11 February. The assembly quickly moved through the draft constitution in July 1919, with most debates concluded within a single session and without public discussion. On 31 July, the assembly adopted the new constitution by a vote of 262 to 75, with one abstention.
The Weimar Constitution was divided into two main parts or chapters, which were further subdivided into 12 sections and 181 articles in total. Some of the noteworthy provisions included Article 48, which gave the president the power to suspend civil rights and, in some cases, use armed force to restore law and order in the event of a serious threat to public safety. The Weimar Constitution was hailed as the most modern democratic constitution of its day, providing for a popularly elected president with considerable power over foreign policy and the armed forces.
However, the Weimar Republic faced significant challenges, including hyperinflation and the rise of the Nazi Party, which contributed to its downfall in 1933-1934.
Signs of Solicitation: What to Look Out For
You may want to see also
Friedrich Ebert, Germany's first president, signed the constitution
The Weimar Constitution was signed on 11 August 1919 by Friedrich Ebert, Germany's first president, and came into effect on 14 August. The signing of the constitution followed a tumultuous period in German history, with the collapse of the government of Imperial Germany during the German Revolution of 1918-1919.
Friedrich Ebert played a pivotal role in the events leading up to the adoption of the Weimar Constitution. As a leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Ebert was committed to establishing a parliamentary republic in Germany. He actively cooperated with the new government formed in October 1918, which was headed by Prince Maximilian of Baden and supported by the Black-Red-Gold coalition. Ebert sought to prevent a socialist revolution and believed in achieving democratic reform through peaceful means.
In January 1919, Ebert's party, the SPD, scheduled an election for a national assembly that would act as an interim parliament and draft a new constitution. This election also granted women equal voting rights with men for the first time in German history. The assembly met in the town of Weimar, giving rise to the name "Weimar Constitution." On 6 February 1919, the assembly elected Ebert as the first president of the Weimar Republic.
The drafting of the Weimar Constitution was undertaken by Hugo Preuss, a professor of constitutional law appointed by Ebert. The constitution-drafting process in Weimar proceeded swiftly, with most debates concluded within a single session and without public discussion. On 31 July 1919, the assembly adopted the new constitution by a vote of 262 to 75, with one abstention.
The Weimar Constitution was considered the most modern democratic constitution of its time. It provided for a popularly elected president with significant powers over foreign policy and the armed forces. It also included provisions for popular referendum and initiative, allowing the electorate to introduce bills and force a vote in the Reichstag. Additionally, it established a bicameral legislature, with the lower house (Reichstag) elected by universal suffrage and proportional representation, and the upper house (Reichsrat) comprising delegates appointed by the federal states.
Signing Statements: Constitutional or Executive Overreach?
You may want to see also
The Weimar Republic was Germany's government from 1919 to 1933
The Weimar Republic was formed in the aftermath of World War I, which had left Germany in a state of turmoil. The war had resulted in significant casualties, with 19% of the male population being killed or wounded in action. The country was facing economic challenges, with the Treaty of Versailles imposing strict conditions, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and exorbitant reparations.
The Weimar Constitution, signed on August 11, 1919, by President Friedrich Ebert, was intended to establish a democratic framework for the country. It introduced universal suffrage, granting all men and women over the age of 20 the right to vote. It also provided for a popularly elected president with significant powers, including the ability to nominate the chancellor and use emergency decree powers under Article 48 to protect the republic from perceived threats.
However, the Weimar Republic was plagued by economic crises, such as hyperinflation and the Great Depression, which led to high unemployment and social unrest. The government struggled to address these issues, and its instability, coupled with the powers granted to the president by the constitution, created an environment that facilitated the rise of extremist ideologies.
By 1932, the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, had become the largest political party in Parliament. Hitler was appointed Chancellor in January 1933, and he quickly moved to consolidate power. He invoked Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution to suppress civil liberties and marginalize opposition. In March 1933, he introduced the Enabling Act, which allowed him to pass laws without parliamentary or presidential approval, effectively ending the Weimar Republic and establishing a Nazi dictatorship.
Men Who Signed Both: Declaration and Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Weimar Constitution was divided into two parts, with 181 articles
The Weimar Constitution, signed on 11 August 1919, was divided into two main parts or chapters, which were further divided into 12 sections in total. The constitution included 181 articles, with the final 16 articles (Articles 166 to 181) providing for the transition to the new constitution and stipulating when the various provisions would come into effect.
The first part of the constitution outlined the organisation of the federal government. Section 1, consisting of Articles 1 to 19, established the German Reich as a republic, with its power derived from the people. The Reich was defined as the region comprising the German states, with the possibility of incorporating other regions based on self-determination. The national colours were established as black, red, and gold, with the commercial flag featuring black, white, and red, and the national colours in the upper inside corner.
Articles 78 to 101 described the methods by which the Reich government administered the constitution and laws, particularly in areas of exclusive jurisdiction, such as foreign relations, defence, taxation, and merchant shipping. The chancellor and ministers were required to resign if the Reichstag passed a vote of no confidence, which often led to parliamentary instability.
Articles 102 to 108 established the justice system of the Weimar Republic, mandating judicial independence and prohibiting extraordinary courts, except during wartime and aboard warships. The section also required the establishment of a Supreme Judicial Court and administrative courts to handle disputes between citizens and the state.
Article 48, one of the more noteworthy provisions, gave the president the power to take measures, including the suspension of civil rights, in the event of a serious threat to public safety. This article was later used by President Paul von Hindenburg and Chancellor Adolf Hitler to facilitate the establishment of a dictatorship and sweep away civil liberties.
The Weimar Constitution also guaranteed the right to form unions and improve working conditions for all individuals and occupations, and it provided for popular referendum and initiative, allowing the electorate to introduce bills into the Reichstag and force a vote. The constitution extended voting rights to all men and women over the age of 20, and it required that representatives be elected equally every four years.
George Read's Signature: A Founding Father's Constitution Endorsement
You may want to see also
Article 48 gave the president emergency powers
The Weimar Constitution was signed on 11 August 1919 by Friedrich Ebert, the first president of Germany, and it became effective on 14 August. The constitution was drafted by the Weimar National Assembly, which was tasked with creating a new, democratic constitution for Germany following the end of World War I and the collapse of the government of Imperial Germany.
Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution gave the president emergency powers, allowing them to take measures to restore law and order in the event of a serious threat to public safety or security. This included the use of armed force and the suspension of civil rights. The article was intended to allow for a strong executive within the parliamentary republic, bypassing the slower legislative process in times of crisis.
The use of Article 48 required agreement between the president and the chancellor, as the president's decrees had to be counter-signed by the chancellor or a competent national minister under Article 50. Additionally, the president was required to inform the Reichstag of the use of such measures, and the Reichstag could nullify the decree.
Article 48 was invoked frequently by Friedrich Ebert of the Social Democratic Party to deal with both political unrest and economic emergencies. However, its excessive use contributed to the loss of public confidence in constitutional democracy, leading to the rise of extremist parties.
Notably, in 1933, Chancellor Adolf Hitler and President Paul von Hindenburg used Article 48 as the basis for the Reichstag Fire Decree, sweeping away civil liberties granted in the Weimar Constitution and facilitating the establishment of a dictatorship. Hitler relied on the precedent of Article 48 to pass the Enabling Act, which gave him unlimited dictatorial powers and effectively ended the Weimar Republic.
Who Signed the Constitution? A Comprehensive Breakdown
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Weimar Constitution was signed on 11 August 1919.
The Weimar Constitution was a modern democratic constitution that provided for a popularly elected president with considerable power over foreign policy and the armed forces.
The Weimar Constitution included provisions for popular referendum and initiative, allowing the electorate to introduce bills into the Reichstag and force a vote on them. It also included Article 48, which gave the president emergency powers to suspend civil rights and operate independently in response to a serious threat to public safety or security.
The Weimar Constitution was drafted during a period of political and economic instability in Germany following World War I. The government of Imperial Germany had collapsed, and the country was facing significant economic challenges due to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
The Weimar Constitution was significant as it formed the basis of the Weimar Republic, Germany's government from 1919 to 1933. However, the constitution ultimately failed to prevent the rise of Nazi Germany, as Article 48 was used by Chancellor Adolf Hitler to sweep away civil liberties and establish a dictatorship.
