Question

Describe the problems faced by Weimar Republic

Answer 1

1) The Weimar republic was politically fragile for the following reasons:

i) The inherent defects in the constitution made it vulnerable to dictatorship.

ii) The system of proportional representation made achieving a majority by any one party an impossible task and led to coalitions.

iii) Article 48 gave the President powers to impose emergency, suspend civil rights and rule by decree.

iv) The system led to formation of twenty different cabinets for the duration of Weimar republic and gradually eroded the confidence of people in democratic means.