What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Republic?

Aspects of the Weimar which extended the rights of citizen: the Bill of Rights, all men and women over the age of 20 having the vote, elected president and parliament (Reichstag) which made the laws and appointed the government. This all made Germany appear to be a more democratic country and would have pleased its citizens. However, there were two major flaws in the system. Proportional representation resulted in no strong majority party, and therefore no government to get its laws passed in the Reichstag. In addition to this was Article 48 which allowed the president to issue emergency decrees without the backing of the Reichstag. Without having specified what constituted an emergency, this ultimately allowed Hitler to legally obtain power.

Answered by Rachael D. History tutor

10460 Views

See similar History GCSE tutors

Related History GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How would you answer the following exam question: Why were there disagreements at the Potsdam Conference in 1945? Explain your answer (6 marks- OCR, 2015)


How to answer a source question?


Could you explain the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine? What is the difference?


How do I answer 6-mark questions? Eg. "Explain why Tsar Nicholas II had become unpopular by early 1917."


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences