The New German Constitution

"The New German Constitution" by René Brunet is a deep study of the constitutional shifts in Germany after World War I, penned in the early 1900s, that explores the chaotic political environment giving rise to the Weimar Republic, a democratic system born from the clash of different political groups. Brunet, a law professor, breaks down the new government's structure, influenced by the social, economic, and political stress after the monarchy fell. The book starts by showing the big changes following the November 1918 revolution, which got rid of the old imperial system and brought in a fresh government. Brunet highlights the tough journey from the old rules of 1871 to the revolutionary changes that made the Weimar Constitution. He points out the battle among socialist groups in the new Workers' and Soldiers' Councils and the Social Democrats, who wanted a more fair and democratic set of rules. These first parts set the scene for a close look at the difficulties of making a constitution and the nature of political power in Germany after the war.