The Weimar Constitution

The new constitution establishes a powerful president

The new constitution signed into force by President Friedrich Ebert on 11 August 1919 enshrined the separation of powers and guaranteed German citizens important fundamental rights, including equality between men and women. It established the German president as head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with the power to appoint and dismiss the chancellor, dissolve the Reichstag and call referendums. These extensive powers led to Ebert being called an Ersatzkaiser.

Not only had Germany acquired a new constitution, but a new flag was also flying over government buildings. The old black, red and white tricolour of imperial Germany had been replaced by the black, red and gold colours of the 19th-century German nationalist movement. Three years later, Ebert chose Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s Song of the Germans as the new national anthem. The democratic Weimar Constitution had a strong influence on the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany: some of its articles were adopted, but its significant weaknesses were eliminated or amended.