President of Germany (1919–1945)
Hugo Preuss drafted the initial version of the Weimar Constitution in 1919. He envisioned a president who stood above political parties as a counterweight to the Reichstag. Robert Redslob and Max Weber influenced this decision heavily. The framers intended for the president to block parliamentary absolutism. They designed a semi-presidential system where power divided between three branches. This structure aimed to create stability during times of crisis. The office served as a replacement emperor figure within the new republic.
The constitution required citizens to be at least thirty-six years old to run for president. Universal adult suffrage determined the winner through a two-round voting system. If no candidate secured an absolute majority initially, a second round occurred later. A plurality won the final election regardless of total vote share. Friedrich Ebert became the first leader via a vote by the Weimar National Assembly on the 11th of February 1919. That assembly counted 379 votes for him against 277 for his opponent. Regular direct elections began only after the constitution took effect in August 1919.
Article 48 granted sweeping authority when public order faced serious disturbance or threat. Presidents could suspend civil rights guaranteed elsewhere in the document. Armed force remained permissible under these emergency measures. Decrees issued under Article 48 held equal legal weight to laws passed by parliament. All such decrees needed counter-signature from the chancellor or a competent minister. The Reichstag had to receive immediate notification of any actions taken. Parliament retained the right to reverse these measures if they chose to do so.
Friedrich Ebert served as Germany's first Reich president until his death in February 1925. He invoked Article 48 one hundred thirty-six times during his tenure. In October 1923 he sent troops into Saxony and Thuringia to remove Communist governments. Chancellor Wilhelm Cuno received considerable latitude to handle hyperinflation through similar decrees. Twelve different governments formed while Ebert held office. Six of those cabinets started as minority administrations without full parliamentary support. Three Reichstag elections occurred during his presidency before the term ended early due to illness.
Paul von Hindenburg won the second round of the 1925 election with forty-five percent of the vote. He governed within the letter of the constitution despite hopes from the right that he would destroy democracy. In March 1930 he appointed Heinrich Brüning as chancellor after Hermann Müller resigned. When the Reichstag rejected Brüning's budget bill, Hindenburg adopted it by decree instead. He dissolved parliament when legislators reversed that action. The field marshal used Article 48 one hundred nine times between 1930 and 1932. Four presidential cabinets replaced normal legislative processes during these final years of the republic.
Adolf Hitler assumed combined powers following Paul von Hindenburg's death on the 2nd of August 1934. A law issued the previous day merged the offices of president and chancellor permanently. Hitler styled himself Führer und Reichskanzler rather than using the title Reich President. This merger violated Article 2 of the Enabling Act which stated presidential rights remained unaffected. A popular referendum approved the change on August 19th amid widespread fraud and intimidation. The act effectively ended democracy in the German Reich by removing parliamentary oversight.
Hitler named Karl Dönitz president in his Final Political Testament written on the 30th of April 1945. Dönitz ordered Germany's military surrender a few days later while attempting to form a government at Flensburg. Ludwig von Krosigk served as head of government under this brief arrangement. Allied forces arrested the members of this administration on the 23rd of May 1945. The office ceased to exist immediately upon occupation by British troops. No successor ever filled the role after this dissolution occurred.
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Common questions
Who drafted the initial version of the Weimar Constitution in 1919?
Hugo Preuss drafted the initial version of the Weimar Constitution in 1919. He envisioned a president who stood above political parties as a counterweight to the Reichstag.
When did Friedrich Ebert become the first leader of Germany under the new constitution?
Friedrich Ebert became the first leader via a vote by the Weimar National Assembly on the 11th of February 1919. That assembly counted 379 votes for him against 277 for his opponent.
What powers did Article 48 grant presidents during public order disturbances?
Article 48 granted sweeping authority when public order faced serious disturbance or threat. Presidents could suspend civil rights guaranteed elsewhere in the document and issue decrees that held equal legal weight to laws passed by parliament.
How many times did Paul von Hindenburg use Article 48 between 1930 and 1932?
The field marshal used Article 48 one hundred nine times between 1930 and 1932. Four presidential cabinets replaced normal legislative processes during these final years of the republic.
On what date did Adolf Hitler assume combined powers following Paul von Hindenburg's death?
Adolf Hitler assumed combined powers following Paul von Hindenburg's death on the 2nd of August 1934. A law issued the previous day merged the offices of president and chancellor permanently.
When did Allied forces arrest the members of the Flensburg government administration?
Allied forces arrested the members of this administration on the 23rd of May 1945. The office ceased to exist immediately upon occupation by British troops.