Reichstag (German Empire)

Reichstag Deutscher Reichstag
Legislative body of Germany
Type
Type	Lower house
History
Established	1871
Disbanded	1918
Preceded by	North German Reichstag
Succeeded by	Weimar National Assembly
Seats	397 (at dissolution)
Elections
Voting system	Two-round system with universal manhood suffrage
First election	3 March 1871
Last election	12 January 1912
Meeting place
Leipziger Straße 4, Berlin (1871–1894)
Constitution
Constitution of the German Empire

The Reichstag (German: [ˈʁaɪçstaːk] ^ⓘ) of the German Empire was Germany's lower House of Parliament from 1871 to 1918. Within the governmental structure of the Reich, it represented the national and democratic element alongside the federalism of the Bundesrat and the monarchic and bureaucratic element of the executive, embodied in the Reich chancellor.^[1] Together with the Bundesrat, the Reichstag had legislative power and shared in decision-making on the budget. It also had certain rights of control over the executive branch and could engage the public through its debates. The emperor had little political power, and over time the position of the Reichstag strengthened with respect to both the imperial government and the Bundesrat.^[2][3]

Reichstag members were elected for three-year terms from 1871 to 1888 and following that for five years. It had one of the most progressive electoral laws of its time: with only a few restrictions, all men 25 and older were allowed to vote, secretly and equally, in direct elections. The Reichstag met throughout the First World War, but was prevented from sitting during the German Revolution of 1918–1919. Its last session took place on 26 October 1918. Its successors were the Weimar National Assembly (February 1919 to June 1920), followed by the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic that met for the first time in June of 1920.