Germany · Government / Weimar Republic. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
The Weimar Republic is adopted. The plan to transform Germany into a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain quickly becomes obsolete as the country slid into a state of near-total chaos. The 1871 constitution is amended to make the Reich a Parliamentary democracy, which the Government had refused for half a century, the Chancellor is henceforth responsible to Parliament, the Reichstag, and no longer to the Kaiser
The Kaiser signs amended constitution
Rebellion breaks out when the military command, without consultation with the Government, orders the German High Seas Fleet to sortie
In a legally questionable act, Reichskanzler Prince Max of Baden transfers his powers to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the MSPD, who, shattered by the monarchys fall, reluctantly accepts. Bavaria is declared a republic
In a legally questionable act, Reichskanzler Prince Max of Baden transfers his powers to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the MSPD, who, shattered by the monarchys fall, reluctantly accepts. Ebert continues to serve as Head of Government during the three months between the end of the German Empire in November 1918 and the first gathering of the National Assembly in February 1919, but did not use the title of Chancellor
Resigns in favour of Ebert, followed by the proclamation of the German Republic
The Weimar Republic is proclaimed by Philipp Scheidemann at the Reichstag building in Berlin, to the fury of the Reichskanzler, who still hoped to preserve the monarchy. Scheidemann, concerned in the face of a possible workers revolution in Berlin, proclaims the Republic from a balcony in the Reichstag building, without consulting any of his colleagues
Elections are held for the National Constitutional Assembly
To avoid the ongoing fights in Berlin, the National Assembly convenes in the city of Weimar, giving the future Republic its unofficial name
The Weimar Constitution creates a republic under a semi-presidential system with the Reichstag elected by proportional representation
Appointed Provisional Reich President by the National Constitutional Assembly
1st Chancellor of the new Republic
The Chancellor is appointed by the President and is responsible to the Reichstag, serves as little more than a chairman, Cabinet decisions are made by majority vote
The Republics first Reichspresident ("Reich President"), Friedrich Ebert of the SPD, signs the new German constitution into law.
The first article of the constitution states that "The power of the state emanates from the people".
The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20.
In the event of a serious threat to public safety or Reich security, the President can take measures - including the use of armed force - to restore law and order, and can suspend civil rights if necessary
The Weimar constitution is accepted by the National Assembly & signed by the President. The Republics first Reichspresident ("Reich President"), Friedrich Ebert of the SPD, signs the new German constitution into law.
The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20.
The state will consist of the Reichstag, elected Parliament & Reichsrat. Germany is to be headed by a popularly elected President. Drafts the new German Constitution. A President can invoke article 48 to suspend civil rights & assume dictatorial power
A Rhineland Republic supported by Belgium & France is declared at Aachen
Chancellors Bruning, Papen, Schleicher and Hitler are all Presidentially appointed dictatorships.
The new Government is expected to lead a political shift towards conservatism, based on the emergency powers granted to the Reichspresident by the constitution, since it had no majority support in the Reichstag.
After an unpopular bill to reform the Reichs finances is left unsupported by the Reichstag, Hindenburg establishes the bill as an emergency decree based on Article 48 of the constitution
Allows Hitler to use emergency powers under Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution
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