Weimar Germany: Democracy in Germany
Victoria Ivons
On August 11, 1919, a year after World War I ended, the Weimar Republic was born. The Kaiser had stepped down from power and now the Germans were looking towards democracy and self-representation, so they drafted and ratified a constitution in the city of Weimar, Germany. “The city in which the Constitution was drafted, Weimar, was chosen because of its historical and symbolical significance: the reconstruction of all of Germany was to be blessed by the enlightening spirit, which had once enlightened the world: the spirit of men, ethical freedom, and rivalry among Germany and other neighboring nations.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 64). The republic was primarily made up of representatives from the German States, mostly male. Many people in the German states believed in the new republic and that the constitution would be the answer to their problems. There was a sense of national pride throughout Germany as there was in the unification of Germany in the early 1870’s. The Germans were proud, honorable, strong, and had a sense of community towards each other, even after the devastating effects of World War I. The constitution’s laws banned titles of nobility, gave all (mostly male) Germans representation, and allowed the German people to have a sense of freedom they never had under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The attempt at democracy and new freedom demonstrates the fact that the Germans were mainly self-sufficient and could survive almost anything if they stayed together. The new democracy would help shape new life into twentieth-century Germany and present new voices in German government.
In the Weimar Constitution, the Preamble stated that: “all German people, regardless of race, and inspired by their will to renew and strengthen their Reich in liberty and justice, to preserve peace domestically, and overseas, and to encourage social progress, have established this constitution.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). The preamble was describing the sense of community and will Germans had in order to help create and preserve their new democracy. “When the Constitution was drafted, the document was referred to a Constitution Committee, where every clause and article was considered twice.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 66). The drafters and Committee went over the Constitution carefully to see if anything was wrong, and then the Committee approved the document, paving the way for more representation of all Germans in the new government. Representation in the government gave all Germans the pride and honor they once had under the Kaiser.
In Germany, representation meant that power came from people of many classes, not just the aristocratic, rich, higher classes, but the bourgeoisie as well. “Political authority came from the people and was exercised in national affairs by Germany’s national government in accordance with the Constitution, and in state affairs by the state governments in accordance to the constitution.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). Authority no longer came from a higher power such as the Kaiser and the people no longer had to answer to anyone, except themselves, which was an extremely significant time in German history. The Reichstag was completely made up of delegates of all the German states. The delegates represented their country and were not bound by obligations. Mainly men over the age of twenty elected the delegates. The Reichstag was elected every four years to change its members and delegates. The German people also elected their President, who would stay in office for seven years. “The President would then elect a chancellor, who would then direct domestic policy and overseas relations. The chancellor was the main leader of Germany and gained the majority of the people’s loyalties.” (Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany: The Republic of the Reasonable. page 42). The chancellor oversaw the running of the government policies and overseas policies. Titles and nobility were no longer acceptable in the republic as they reminded many Germans of the Kaiser and the aristocrats and their autocratic leadership.
“All Germans are equal. Men and women have the same duties. Legal privileges and titles are no longer given. No German will accept titles or honors from a foreign government.” (German History in Documents and Images: Weimar Constitution). Once the Kaiser was out of power and the Constitution was established, titles, birthrights, and special privileges were all but abolished. Without titles and rankings, all Germans could be equal before their own people. They could be part of a society that gave them their own power and could choose where they could go and not have to answer to an aristocrat or the Kaiser ever again. Public privileges and disadvantages of birth and rank were done away with. Titles of nobility were no longer given to high rich people and no German person would ever again accept a title or an order from a foreign government. “This prohibition of titles and honors, was a minor, but significant example of how unable most Germans were to make the shift from authoritarianism to popular sovereignty.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 66). The transition from authoritarianism with feudal titles, nobility, aristocrats, and honors to popular sovereignty with equality and justice for all who longed for it was extremely awkward. Many Germans were used to the titles bestowed on them and did not want to give up that power. Most, however, welcomed the new republic with open arms. Papers, speech, art, and literature could not be censored during this time and were allowed to flourish until the Republic ended. Many male Germans also had the power to speak their opinions freely in many ways, within the limits of the laws. Women were mentioned infrequently in the constitution and Jews were not mentioned at all. “All Germans could peacefully assemble without permission and without telling anyone and could petition the government about what changes should be made and what should be done.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). The constitution stipulated that all Germans could assemble in the streets peacefully, without causing a riot, and without being arrested. The document also stated that the Germans could petition their government about what such problem that was occurring during the week or what should be done to improve the government’s involvement in the people’s lives. However, during this time, the people were split into different political parties, which would soon have an advantage over the government.
During the years of the Weimar Republic, the people have been divided into political parties due to conflicting desires for their fledgling democracy. The first party that formed was the German Nationalist People’s Party. “Two conservative parties of the World War I era made up this party. The name was a concession to the reality of suffrage for all German men and women.” (Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany, The Republic of The Reasonable. pg.44-45). The German Nationalist people’s party was most popular with the Protestants, landowners, and industrialists. Another one of these political parties was the German People’s Party. White-collar workers, Protestants and Catholics, and small and medium business people supported the party. Nationalism and anti-Semitism were less vicious in the party. Other parties included the Catholic Center Party, which was supported by mainly Catholics. The majority of the people who voted for the party were Catholics. Another major party was the Nazi party, with Adolf Hitler as its leader. The Nazi party was virulently opposed to the Weimar Republic. “In the 1930 elections, the Nazis won a major victory and began to become more and more popular.” (Collapse of the Weimar Republic). As hyperinflation took over, the Nazis began to gain more power. “The currency eventually became worthless, however, Germany was still a rich country with mines, farms, factories, and forests.” (The German Hyperinflation, 1923). The hyperinflation rendered the currency useless and people began to lose their jobs. Although the Republic could not hold on to democracy, it was still part of German identity.
The Weimar Republic was Germany’s first post-World War I attempt at creating a democracy. The Weimar Constitution gave the Germans a sense of self-determination that they had never had before. They could have free education and could vote without being repressed. The Constitution gave the German people a voice to be heard, a sense of pride, and their first self-sufficient government. The Weimar Republic would be remembered as the first attempt at German democracy.
On August 11, 1919, a year after World War I ended, the Weimar Republic was born. The Kaiser had stepped down from power and now the Germans were looking towards democracy and self-representation, so they drafted and ratified a constitution in the city of Weimar, Germany. “The city in which the Constitution was drafted, Weimar, was chosen because of its historical and symbolical significance: the reconstruction of all of Germany was to be blessed by the enlightening spirit, which had once enlightened the world: the spirit of men, ethical freedom, and rivalry among Germany and other neighboring nations.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 64). The republic was primarily made up of representatives from the German States, mostly male. Many people in the German states believed in the new republic and that the constitution would be the answer to their problems. There was a sense of national pride throughout Germany as there was in the unification of Germany in the early 1870’s. The Germans were proud, honorable, strong, and had a sense of community towards each other, even after the devastating effects of World War I. The constitution’s laws banned titles of nobility, gave all (mostly male) Germans representation, and allowed the German people to have a sense of freedom they never had under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The attempt at democracy and new freedom demonstrates the fact that the Germans were mainly self-sufficient and could survive almost anything if they stayed together. The new democracy would help shape new life into twentieth-century Germany and present new voices in German government.
In the Weimar Constitution, the Preamble stated that: “all German people, regardless of race, and inspired by their will to renew and strengthen their Reich in liberty and justice, to preserve peace domestically, and overseas, and to encourage social progress, have established this constitution.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). The preamble was describing the sense of community and will Germans had in order to help create and preserve their new democracy. “When the Constitution was drafted, the document was referred to a Constitution Committee, where every clause and article was considered twice.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 66). The drafters and Committee went over the Constitution carefully to see if anything was wrong, and then the Committee approved the document, paving the way for more representation of all Germans in the new government. Representation in the government gave all Germans the pride and honor they once had under the Kaiser.
In Germany, representation meant that power came from people of many classes, not just the aristocratic, rich, higher classes, but the bourgeoisie as well. “Political authority came from the people and was exercised in national affairs by Germany’s national government in accordance with the Constitution, and in state affairs by the state governments in accordance to the constitution.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). Authority no longer came from a higher power such as the Kaiser and the people no longer had to answer to anyone, except themselves, which was an extremely significant time in German history. The Reichstag was completely made up of delegates of all the German states. The delegates represented their country and were not bound by obligations. Mainly men over the age of twenty elected the delegates. The Reichstag was elected every four years to change its members and delegates. The German people also elected their President, who would stay in office for seven years. “The President would then elect a chancellor, who would then direct domestic policy and overseas relations. The chancellor was the main leader of Germany and gained the majority of the people’s loyalties.” (Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany: The Republic of the Reasonable. page 42). The chancellor oversaw the running of the government policies and overseas policies. Titles and nobility were no longer acceptable in the republic as they reminded many Germans of the Kaiser and the aristocrats and their autocratic leadership.
“All Germans are equal. Men and women have the same duties. Legal privileges and titles are no longer given. No German will accept titles or honors from a foreign government.” (German History in Documents and Images: Weimar Constitution). Once the Kaiser was out of power and the Constitution was established, titles, birthrights, and special privileges were all but abolished. Without titles and rankings, all Germans could be equal before their own people. They could be part of a society that gave them their own power and could choose where they could go and not have to answer to an aristocrat or the Kaiser ever again. Public privileges and disadvantages of birth and rank were done away with. Titles of nobility were no longer given to high rich people and no German person would ever again accept a title or an order from a foreign government. “This prohibition of titles and honors, was a minor, but significant example of how unable most Germans were to make the shift from authoritarianism to popular sovereignty.” (Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic. page 66). The transition from authoritarianism with feudal titles, nobility, aristocrats, and honors to popular sovereignty with equality and justice for all who longed for it was extremely awkward. Many Germans were used to the titles bestowed on them and did not want to give up that power. Most, however, welcomed the new republic with open arms. Papers, speech, art, and literature could not be censored during this time and were allowed to flourish until the Republic ended. Many male Germans also had the power to speak their opinions freely in many ways, within the limits of the laws. Women were mentioned infrequently in the constitution and Jews were not mentioned at all. “All Germans could peacefully assemble without permission and without telling anyone and could petition the government about what changes should be made and what should be done.” (German History in Documents and Images: The Weimar Constitution). The constitution stipulated that all Germans could assemble in the streets peacefully, without causing a riot, and without being arrested. The document also stated that the Germans could petition their government about what such problem that was occurring during the week or what should be done to improve the government’s involvement in the people’s lives. However, during this time, the people were split into different political parties, which would soon have an advantage over the government.
During the years of the Weimar Republic, the people have been divided into political parties due to conflicting desires for their fledgling democracy. The first party that formed was the German Nationalist People’s Party. “Two conservative parties of the World War I era made up this party. The name was a concession to the reality of suffrage for all German men and women.” (Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany, The Republic of The Reasonable. pg.44-45). The German Nationalist people’s party was most popular with the Protestants, landowners, and industrialists. Another one of these political parties was the German People’s Party. White-collar workers, Protestants and Catholics, and small and medium business people supported the party. Nationalism and anti-Semitism were less vicious in the party. Other parties included the Catholic Center Party, which was supported by mainly Catholics. The majority of the people who voted for the party were Catholics. Another major party was the Nazi party, with Adolf Hitler as its leader. The Nazi party was virulently opposed to the Weimar Republic. “In the 1930 elections, the Nazis won a major victory and began to become more and more popular.” (Collapse of the Weimar Republic). As hyperinflation took over, the Nazis began to gain more power. “The currency eventually became worthless, however, Germany was still a rich country with mines, farms, factories, and forests.” (The German Hyperinflation, 1923). The hyperinflation rendered the currency useless and people began to lose their jobs. Although the Republic could not hold on to democracy, it was still part of German identity.
The Weimar Republic was Germany’s first post-World War I attempt at creating a democracy. The Weimar Constitution gave the Germans a sense of self-determination that they had never had before. They could have free education and could vote without being repressed. The Constitution gave the German people a voice to be heard, a sense of pride, and their first self-sufficient government. The Weimar Republic would be remembered as the first attempt at German democracy.
Weimar Constitution
The Weimar Constitution was written in the industrial town of Weimar, Germany on August 11, 1919, a year after World War I ended. The people who produced the constitution were democratic reformers who were tired of the Kaiser's autocratic rule. The source spoke to all the people of Germany, especially the middle and lower classes. Men from many families were tired of fighting and felt like the Kaiser ignored their pleas. The Weimar Constitution is Germany's first attempt at a democratic government after years of autocratic rule. The source is relevant to the Weimar Republic because it names all of the freedoms most Germans can have.
"ARTICLE 109
All Germans are equal before the law.
Men and women have the same fundamental civil rights and duties.
Public legal privileges or disadvantages of birth or of rank are abolished. Titles of nobility [ . . . ] may be bestowed no longer. [ . . . ] Orders and decorations shall not be conferred by the state.
No German shall accept titles or orders from a foreign government."
Once the Kaiser stepped down from power, there was no longer need for any feudal titles all Germans had received before World War I. During the years of the Weimar Republic, all Germans had the same rights and duties as the rich, the middle-class, and the poor. Privileges and birthrights were all but abandoned. Whenever a German would travel to another country, they would never again accept a title of nobility or an honor from that country or their own country. All Germans were treated as equals during the Weimar years and they could choose which leader they wanted to lead them and had a voice in the matters of government instead of only the rich.
"ARTICLE 109
All Germans are equal before the law.
Men and women have the same fundamental civil rights and duties.
Public legal privileges or disadvantages of birth or of rank are abolished. Titles of nobility [ . . . ] may be bestowed no longer. [ . . . ] Orders and decorations shall not be conferred by the state.
No German shall accept titles or orders from a foreign government."
Once the Kaiser stepped down from power, there was no longer need for any feudal titles all Germans had received before World War I. During the years of the Weimar Republic, all Germans had the same rights and duties as the rich, the middle-class, and the poor. Privileges and birthrights were all but abandoned. Whenever a German would travel to another country, they would never again accept a title of nobility or an honor from that country or their own country. All Germans were treated as equals during the Weimar years and they could choose which leader they wanted to lead them and had a voice in the matters of government instead of only the rich.
Weimar Constitution Multimedia Gallery
The Weimar Constitution was adopted after WWI, but did not become law until August 11, 1919.
Until that day, the Constitution and its laws were just written words on a piece of paper.
http://skepticism-images.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images/jreviews/Ebert-Oath-Weimar-1919.jpg
Friedrich Ebert signed the Weimar Constitution into law on August 11.
After the signing, Germany became a parliamentary democracy with Ebert being its first president.
http://trm.images.tripod.com/weimar-2.jpg
The term lengths for the presidents in the Weimar Republic were seven years.
President Ebert was in office for seven years until his death and president Hindenburg took over.http://www.fes-prishtina.org/wb/media/images_website/img_febert_new.jpg
President Ebert was in office for seven years until his death and president Hindenburg took over.http://www.fes-prishtina.org/wb/media/images_website/img_febert_new.jpg
School attendance was mandatory during the Weimar years.
Public institutions, including higher learning, provided education for the youths.
http://www.unihannover.de/imperia/md/images/webredaktion/universitaet/geschichte/chronik/big/bibliothek_big.jpg
Public institutions, including higher learning, provided education for the youths.
http://www.unihannover.de/imperia/md/images/webredaktion/universitaet/geschichte/chronik/big/bibliothek_big.jpg
This shot was filmed during the election of the Weimar republic's president.
Elections would occur every seven years.
http://img.framepool.com/qf/427018403.pic
Elections would occur every seven years.
http://img.framepool.com/qf/427018403.pic
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Author unknown. “Weimar Republic Constitution.”
German History in Documents and Images. Edited and translated by Louis L. Snyder. Originally published on August 11, 1919, republished on Documents of German History Web. http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/ghi_wr_weimarconstitution_Eng.pdf>. April 12, 2014
Secondary Sources:
Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic, Cambridge, Massachusetts:
Harvard University Press, 1962.
Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany, The Republic of the Reasonable.
Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press 1996.
Goodman, George J.W. “The German Hyperinflation, 1923” (1981)
Web. April 12, 2014 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_germanhyperinflation.html.
Rempel, Gerhard. “The Collapse of the Weimar Republic.”
Western New England College, Springfield Illinois. April 12, 2014
http://www.johndclare.net/Rempel_Wimar23.htm
Author unknown. “Weimar Republic Constitution.”
German History in Documents and Images. Edited and translated by Louis L. Snyder. Originally published on August 11, 1919, republished on Documents of German History Web. http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/ghi_wr_weimarconstitution_Eng.pdf>. April 12, 2014
Secondary Sources:
Eyck, Erich. A History of the Weimar Republic, Cambridge, Massachusetts:
Harvard University Press, 1962.
Bookbinder, Paul. Weimar Germany, The Republic of the Reasonable.
Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press 1996.
Goodman, George J.W. “The German Hyperinflation, 1923” (1981)
Web. April 12, 2014 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_germanhyperinflation.html.
Rempel, Gerhard. “The Collapse of the Weimar Republic.”
Western New England College, Springfield Illinois. April 12, 2014
http://www.johndclare.net/Rempel_Wimar23.htm