The Reichstag: Germany's Parliament from 1871 to 1945

The Reichstag was the parliament of Germany from 1871 to 1945. It was established in 1871, after the unification of Germany under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, and it served as the lower house of the German legislature until the end of World War II in 1945.

The Reichstag was composed of representatives elected by universal male suffrage, and it had the power to pass laws, approve the budget, and exercise parliamentary control over the government. The Reichstag met in the Reichstag building in Berlin, which was designed by architect Paul Wallot and completed in 1894.

The Reichstag played an important role in German politics during its existence, particularly during the Weimar Republic (1919-1933), when it was a key arena for political debate and decision-making. However, the Reichstag's powers were significantly limited during the Nazi era (1933-1945), when the regime used various means to suppress opposition and consolidate its power.

The Reichstag building was also the site of several significant events in German history, including the Reichstag fire in 1933, which was blamed on communist agitators and provided a pretext for the Nazi regime to crack down on political opponents. The building was heavily damaged during World War II and was eventually abandoned after the war. Today, the reconstructed Reichstag building serves as the seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag.