The 'North German Constitution' was the
constitution of the
North German Confederation, which existed from
1867 to
1871. The
Constitution of the German Empire (1871) was closely based upon it. Although it allowed universal male suffrage for
Reichstag elections, it has been described as a 'fig-leaf for absolutism' (
Karl Liebknecht) due to its essential autocracy, that its sole minister (''Bundeskanzler'') was responsible to the President of the Federation (i. e. the King of
Prussia), not to the parliament (''Reichstag'') (although they could question ministers).
External link
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Text of the constitution (in German)