Die Verfassung der Freien Hansestadt Bremen von 1920

The constitution of Bremen from 1920 marks a turning point in the constitutional development of the federal city state of Bremen. Before the constitution, Bremen has been an oligarchy organized by the bourgeoisie. Most of the lower classes were practically excluded from social, economic and political participation. With the new constitution, Bremen reached a parliamentary democracy with modern influence. Given the revolutionary tendencies in Bremen at that time, the implementation of the new constitution was far from being natural, especially the attempt to introduce a permanent city council.
The aim of this work is to show the historical roots as well as the development of the constitution. Emphasis is given on the Hanseatic features, the constraints of the third Reich and the perversions forced upon the constitution by the rulers of the Nazi-regime. Finally, the constitutional heritage will be presented which partly still remains within the actual constitution.