The Birth of the Weimar Republic
This lesson introduces students to the birth of the Weimar Republic following World War I. It focuses on the new democratic constitution, the role of key figures like Friedrich Ebert, and the structural weaknesses (Proportional Representation and Article 48) that made the Republic vulnerable to extremist threats.
Learning objectives
- Describe the structure of the Weimar Constitution (President, Chancellor, Reichstag).
- Explain the impact of Proportional Representation on the stability of the German government.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Republic in its early years (1919-1923).
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 10 min
Do Now: Students list three problems Germany might face after losing a major war. Class discussion on the transition from Monarchy to Republic.
Direct Instruction · 15 min
Teacher-led Explainer: Using the provided 6-step script to explain the structure of the Weimar Constitution and its inherent flaws.
Guided Practice · 20 min
Differentiated Worksheets: Students work through the Support, Core, or Stretch tasks based on their target grades.
Assessment · 10 min
Multiple Choice Quiz: Quick-fire check for understanding using the 8-question quiz.
Review · 5 min
Plenary: 'Exit Ticket' - students write one way Article 48 helped the Republic and one way it harmed it.
Key vocabulary
- Abdication
- The act of a monarch giving up their throne.
- Republic
- A system of government where the people elect their leaders.
- Constitution
- A set of rules by which a country is governed.
- Proportional Representation
- An electoral system where seats in parliament are awarded in proportion to the number of votes won.
- Coalition
- A government formed by two or more political parties working together.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- 1. Why did the Weimar Republic struggle to gain support in its first years?
- 2. Explain the difference between the President and the Chancellor in the Weimar system.
- 3. How did Proportional Representation lead to weak governments?
- 4. What was the 'Stab in the Back' myth, and how did it affect the Republic?
Quiz (sample)
1. In what year was the Weimar Constitution officially adopted?
- A. 1914
- B. 1918
- C. 1919
- D. 1923
2. Who did the Weimar Republic replace as the head of Germany?
- A. The Kaiser
- B. The Chancellor
- C. The President
- D. The Reichstag
3. Which voting system was used for the Reichstag?
- A. First Past the Post
- B. Proportional Representation
- C. Autocracy
- D. Dictatorship
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