COMPARISON OF THE CONSTITUTION OF GERMANY: BEFORE WORLD WAR –I (1871-1914) AND AFTER THE WORLD WAR (1919-1933)

Module-II

Comparison of Constitution of Germany: 

Comparison is self explanatory. But finer points will be discussed in Module-III for the sake of completeness.

Constitution of German Empire (1871-1914)	Constitution of Weimar Republic (1919-1933)
Federal Empire 25 states and one Imperial territory	Republic
Emperor/Kaiser Extensive authority over the army and navy Foreign relations General enactment and execution of imperial laws Authority to declare war	President: Elected by universal suffrage Term was 7 years Power: Head of the armed forces Chose the Chancellor Legal right to dismiss Chancellor Article 48, power to impose emergency
Federal Chancellor: Appointed by Emperor and responsible to him	Chancellor: from Reichstag appointed by President, and responsible to Reichstag
Bundesrat (Federal Council/upper house): represented the princes of Germany and not the people Each state had a number of representatives on the Bundesrat who were nominated by princes and who voted according to their instructions	Reichsrat: Second Parliamentary house Represented component states Limited authority Couldn’t propose legislation Right to reject legislation by Reichstag
Reichstag (National Parliament/National assembly): Elected by universal suffrage Any legislation passed by Reichstag had to be approved by the Bundesrat Couldn’t initiate legislation on its own Could veto proposal of emperor	Reichstag: Main legislative body Elected by universal suffrage through proportional representation every 4 years Reichstag debated issues and voted on proposed legislation Chancellor: Leader of the most powerful political party appointed Chancellor by President Chancellor could choose his own Cabinet Chancellor and Cabinet responsible to Reichstag