The Weimar Constitution
The Weimar Constitution, adopted in 1919, aimed to establish a democratic and progressive Germany after World War I. It introduced universal suffrage, civil liberties, and proportional representation, fostering hopes for political freedom and social justice. However, these very features became weaknesses. Proportional representation led to fragmented parliaments and unstable coalition governments, while Article 48 gave the president emergency powers that undermined democracy. The constitution's liberal ideals were also exploited by extremist parties, including the Nazis. Ultimately, while it promised democratic renewal, the Weimar Constitution’s structural flaws contributed to political instability and the Republic’s eventual collapse in 1933.
