How did the German Empire’s constitution limit the power of the Reichstag?

The constitution of the German Empire, designed by Otto von Bismarck, intentionally limited the power of the Reichstag to ensure that the chancellor and the monarch retained primary decision-making authority. Several structural mechanisms were used to circumscribe the lower house's influence:1

• Executive Responsibility: Imperial ministers were responsible to the emperor rather than the legislature, and the chancellor was not required to answer to the Reichstag.1
• Legislative Process: Most legislative proposals were submitted first to the Bundesrat—the upper house representing the 25 states—and only reached the Reichstag if approved by the Bundesrat.1
• Financial Control: The Reichstag’s power of the purse was restricted because certain expenditures, such as the military budget, were often authorized for long periods (e.g., the Septennat), exempting them from frequent parliamentary control. Additionally, the government relied on indirect taxes, limiting the Reichstag's ability to cut off funding.213
• Exclusion from Foreign Affairs: The legislature was rarely consulted regarding the conduct of foreign policy.1
• Constituency Imbalance: Electoral districts were never adjusted to reflect urbanization, ensuring that rural areas retained a disproportionate share of power.1