My hearty thanks are due to Mr. Knopf, who, on my suggestion, undertook to make this volume available to the American public. I am indebted to Professors Munro and Holcombe for the right to use their translation of the “Constitution of the German Commonwealth” issued by the World Peace Foundation. Especially am I under obligation to Mr. Joseph Gollomb for undertaking the translation of M. Brunet’s text. Mr. Gollomb was himself a witness at many of the scenes described in these pages. He has first-hand knowledge of European politics. His long residence in Paris gave him a mastery of the French tongue. In making this English version, he has kept in mind the requirements of the general reader as well as those of technical students. CHARLES A. BEARD. New Milford, Conn., December 14, 1921. CONTENTS FOREWORD v CHAPTER I THE ORIGINS SECTION 1 THE REVOLUTION The Constitution of April 16, 1871, and the reforms of October, 1918 1 The fall of the old régime 12 The republic of councils 16 SECTION 2 THE NATIONAL CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY The composition of the Assembly 24 The Provisional Constitution of February 10, 1919 28 The adoption of the Constitution and supplementary laws 35 CHAPTER II TOWARD A UNIFIED STATE SECTION 1 TERRITORIAL STATUS OF THE STATES The problem of the dismemberment of Prussia 43 Modifications of the territories of states 53 The creation of a state--Thuringia 57 SECTION 2 DIVISION OF POWER BETWEEN THE REICH AND THE STATES The constitution of the states 59 The legislative power of the _Reich_ 61 (1) Fundamental limits of power 61 (2) Supremacy of national over state laws 65 Administrative services of the government 65 Justice and the High Court 68 SECTION 3 JURIDICAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE REICH Is the _Reich_ a federal state? 69 Prussia and the _Reich_ 72