Reichsausschuss

Reichsausschuss, literally "Reich Committee," is a historical term used for one or more central committees within the German Reich. It does not denote a single, continuous institution; rather, it was a label applied to various bodies across different periods, including the German Empire (1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1919–1933), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). In each context, the function and authority of a Reichsausschuss depended on the political framework and specific mandate assigned by the government.

In the empire and Weimar periods, Reichsausschüsse typically referred to high-level coordinating bodies within the executive branch. Their tasks often included coordinating policy across ministries, implementing imperial or state decrees, and handling particular administrative or fiscal responsibilities. They were usually composed of senior civil servants and ministry representatives and were chaired by a minister or by a high official designated by the head of government or the monarch.

Under the Nazi regime, Reichsausschüsse were reorganized to align with centralized, party-state governance. They could serve as central coordinating organs for broad policy areas, sometimes with advisory or supervisory roles over sectors such as the economy, labor, or media. The exact scope and power of these committees varied, and they often operated alongside other centralized organs, such as the Reich Ministry or the Reich Chancellery.

After World War II, the term largely fell out of use as the German state underwent constitutional reorganization under Allied control and the subsequent postwar constitutions. Today, Reichsausschuss is primarily encountered in historical or scholarly contexts.