Reichstag

In 1871 the German parliament was created and from 1919 the //Reichstag// became the main law making body and representative assembly. It consisted of deputies elected every four years. The //Reichsrat// was the less important house in parliament compared to the //Reichstag//. Representatives were chosen from all 17 states, however they could only initiate or delay proposals. The importance of the creation of the //Reichstag// was that it removed absolute power from a single individual, but spreading it out allowing the people to be a larger part of the law making process and influence in the government. However, by the implementation of Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution, the power and significance of the //Reichstag// was in danger of being overpowered by the emergency powers of the Chancellor granted in the Constitution(1)

(1) Layton, Geoff. __Weimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany.__ 3rd edition. London. Hodder, 2005.