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The Origins of the Weimar Republic

How the Weimar Republic began after the defeat of 1918: the abdication of the Kaiser, the new constitution of 1919, and its strengths and weaknesses.

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What you'll cover

The origins of the Weimar Republic 📜

Germany lost the First World War, and in November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated. Germany became a republic with a new democratic constitution agreed in 1919. It had real strengths, but also weaknesses that would trouble it for years.

Words for the republic 🔑

Learn these four terms before you judge the new republic.

Strengths and weaknesses 🆚

The new constitution had clear strengths, but also weaknesses.

Grade 9 thinking 💡

To reach the top grades, weigh the strengths of the Weimar constitution against its weaknesses, and judge how stable the new republic really was.

Match the part of government 🔗

  • the President
  • the Reichstag
  • the Chancellor
  • Article 48
  • the elected head of state
  • the parliament elected by the people
  • the head of government chosen from the Reichstag
  • the emergency power to rule by decree

Match the term to its meaning 🧩

  • republic
  • constitution
  • proportional representation
  • coalition
  • a country with no king or queen
  • the set of rules for governing a country
  • seats given in line with the share of votes
  • a government formed by several parties together

How did it begin? ❓

How did the Weimar Republic begin?

  • Germany lost the war and the Kaiser abdicated, so a republic was declared.
  • The Kaiser was voted out in an election.
  • A foreign army set up the republic.

Weaknesses of the constitution ✅

Select the TWO weaknesses of the Weimar constitution.

  • Proportional representation led to weak coalitions.
  • Article 48 let the President rule by decree.
  • Men and women could vote.
  • It was democratic.

Order the origins 🪜

An interactive activity.

Summarise the origins 📝

Germany lost the First World _____, and in 1918 the _____ abdicated. A _____ was declared, and the Weimar _____ of 1919 set up a democracy with a President and a _____ elected by proportional representation.

War Kaiser republic constitution Reichstag President Chancellor Versailles coalition democracy

Count the years 🔢

An interactive activity.

Spot the two weaknesses 🖍️

An interactive activity.

Strength or weakness? 🧭

An interactive activity.

Assess the republic ✍️

An interactive activity.