Reichstag (Weimar Republic)
The Reichstag was the legislative body of the Weimar Republic from 1919 until 1933. Here are detailed insights into its operation, historical context, and significance:
Establishment
- The Reichstag was established following the November Revolution in 1918, which led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the proclamation of the German Republic.
- The first Reichstag election occurred on 19 January 1919, with the newly elected body meeting for the first time on 6 February 1919 in Weimar, hence the name "Weimar Republic."
Composition and Election
- Elections were held under a system of proportional representation, which meant parties received seats in proportion to the number of votes they received. This often led to a fragmented political landscape with numerous small parties.
- Voting was based on universal, equal, direct, and secret suffrage for all citizens aged 20 and above.
Functions and Powers
- The Reichstag was responsible for passing laws, approving the budget, and electing the Reichspräsident (President) of Germany.
- It had the power to override vetoes by the President with a two-thirds majority.
- One of its critical functions was the vote of no confidence, which could lead to the dissolution of the government if a majority of deputies supported it.
Political Instability
- The period was marked by political instability, with frequent changes in government. The Weimar Republic saw 20 different cabinets between 1919 and 1933.
- The Reichstag's effectiveness was often undermined by the economic crises, including hyperinflation in the early 1920s and the Great Depression starting in 1929, which led to social unrest and the rise of extremist parties.
Decline and End
- The rise of the Nazi Party and their electoral success in the early 1930s significantly weakened the democratic framework of the Weimar Republic.
- Following the Reichstag Fire in February 1933, the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act of 1933, which essentially allowed Adolf Hitler to rule by decree, effectively ending the democratic functions of the Reichstag.
Legacy
- The Reichstag building itself, designed by Paul Wallot, remains a symbol of German democracy, even though the Reichstag as an institution was dissolved by the Nazis.
- After World War II, the building was reconstructed and now houses the German Bundestag, the modern parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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