The National Assembly of the Weimar Republic

The National Assembly of the Weimar Republic was a more permanent solution to governing Germany and setting up the new constitution. The National Assembly replaced the Council of People’s Representatives. The Assembly’s primary mission was to draft and agree the new Constitution for the German Republic.

Ebert scheduled elections for the Assembly in January 1919. In the results of the election those parties who were seen as more moderate won the majority of seats. The Social Democratic Party and the Centre Party won a combined 60% of the seats. The first election was also a huge achievement for Ebert as 82% of the German electorate voted for the National Assembly.

The National Assembly met in Weimar rather than Berlin. Berlin was too dangerous to meet due to the violence. Weimar was a town in Germany and ultimately how the Republic gets its name. The Assembly met in the town in February 1919.

Drafting the new constitution was a long process that took 6 months. However, in July 1919 with a majority of 187, the constitution was agreed.