What is Article 48 known for in the Weimar Constitution?

What is Article 48 known for in the Weimar Constitution?

• A. It allowed political parties to create coalitions
• B. It enabled the president to rule directly in a crisis
• C. It guaranteed rights for workers
• D. It restricted the powers of the chancellor

Answer: (B)

Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution is known for enabling the president to rule directly in a crisis. This article granted the president extraordinary powers, allowing them to issue emergency decrees without the prior approval of the Reichstag (the parliament) during times of national emergency. This provision was intended to provide a mechanism for swift government response in case of crises, but it also raised concerns about potential abuses of power, as it allowed for rule by decree and reduced the effectiveness and influence of the parliament. The other options do not accurately reflect the specific content of Article 48. Political parties creating coalitions relates to the overall parliamentary system in Weimar Germany, rights for workers would be found in other social policies and regulations, and restrictions on the powers of the chancellor would not specifically stem from Article 48 but rather from the dynamics of the Weimar political structure that evolved at the time. Thus, focusing on the president's emergency powers directly aligns with the primary function of Article 48.

Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution is known for enabling the president to rule directly in a crisis. This article granted the president extraordinary powers, allowing them to issue emergency decrees without the prior approval of the Reichstag (the parliament) during times of national emergency. This provision was intended to provide a mechanism for swift government response in case of crises, but it also raised concerns about potential abuses of power, as it allowed for rule by decree and reduced the effectiveness and influence of the parliament.

The other options do not accurately reflect the specific content of Article 48. Political parties creating coalitions relates to the overall parliamentary system in Weimar Germany, rights for workers would be found in other social policies and regulations, and restrictions on the powers of the chancellor would not specifically stem from Article 48 but rather from the dynamics of the Weimar political structure that evolved at the time. Thus, focusing on the president's emergency powers directly aligns with the primary function of Article 48.