Analysis:
The period between 1871-1914 saw mainly William-I and William-II as Emperor or Kaiser of Germany. The Emperor/Kaiser appointed the Chancellor. The Chancellor and Council of ministers were responsible to the Emperor/Kaiser. In a way the Emperor's will always prevailed. Such was the deliberate composition/structure of the empire.
Reichstag was the National Parliament, and the members were elected by universal suffrage. It was great achievement at that time for people. But Reichstag had limited power. It couldn't initiate legislation on its own, though the very purpose of Parliament is to legislate. But the parliament had power to veto Kaiser and his ministers proposal.
After the end of the First World War, Weimar Republic (1919-1933) came into being and with that real Democracy for people of Germany. This time Reichstag or National Parliament had genuine power befitting to its name. The members of Reichstag were elected by universal suffrage for four years tenure. The Chancellor and Cabinet were responsible to Reichstag.
Further, President was elected separately by universal suffrage with term of seven years. President chose/appointed the Chancellor from the most powerful party in Reichstag.
Power vested to the President under Article 48 to impose emergency proved fatal for this nascent democracy. This article was misused by less competent and more ambitious Hitler to strangulate the Republic.
Thus the two period under study saw Reichstag evolving in terms of power to people. The power reached to ordinary people post war though for limited period.
The period between 1871-1914 saw mainly William-I and William-II as Emperor or Kaiser of Germany. The Emperor/Kaiser appointed the Chancellor. The Chancellor and Council of ministers were responsible to the Emperor/Kaiser. In a way the Emperor's will always prevailed. Such was the deliberate composition/structure of the empire.
Reichstag was the National Parliament, and the members were elected by universal suffrage. It was great achievement at that time for people. But Reichstag had limited power. It couldn't initiate legislation on its own, though the very purpose of Parliament is to legislate. But the parliament had power to veto Kaiser and his ministers proposal.
After the end of the First World War, Weimar Republic (1919-1933) came into being and with that real Democracy for people of Germany. This time Reichstag or National Parliament had genuine power befitting to its name. The members of Reichstag were elected by universal suffrage for four years tenure. The Chancellor and Cabinet were responsible to Reichstag.
Further, President was elected separately by universal suffrage with term of seven years. President chose/appointed the Chancellor from the most powerful party in Reichstag.
Power vested to the President under Article 48 to impose emergency proved fatal for this nascent democracy. This article was misused by less competent and more ambitious Hitler to strangulate the Republic.
Thus the two period under study saw Reichstag evolving in terms of power to people. The power reached to ordinary people post war though for limited period.
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