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Germany was occupied by the victorious Allies after World War II.
Germany was occupied by the victorious Allies after World War II.
True
The western part of Germany became known as East Germany.
The western part of Germany became known as East Germany.
False
Bonn served as the capital of West Germany.
Bonn served as the capital of West Germany.
True
The United States, Britain, and France occupied the eastern part of Germany.
The United States, Britain, and France occupied the eastern part of Germany.
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West Germany was formed by the occupation of Germany by only one country.
West Germany was formed by the occupation of Germany by only one country.
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Expansionism resulted in complete victory in World War II.
Expansionism resulted in complete victory in World War II.
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The policy of expansionism was linked to the events of World War II.
The policy of expansionism was linked to the events of World War II.
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Complete defeat in World War II was an outcome of a policy of isolationism.
Complete defeat in World War II was an outcome of a policy of isolationism.
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The policy of expansionism was a significant factor in World War II.
The policy of expansionism was a significant factor in World War II.
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The outcome of World War II was influenced by a policy of contraction.
The outcome of World War II was influenced by a policy of contraction.
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The Constitutional Court addresses disputes among state institutions over their constitutional powers.
The Constitutional Court addresses disputes among state institutions over their constitutional powers.
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The Constitutional Court only handles criminal cases within the state.
The Constitutional Court only handles criminal cases within the state.
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State institutions cannot bring constitutional disputes to the Constitutional Court.
State institutions cannot bring constitutional disputes to the Constitutional Court.
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The procedures managed by the Constitutional Court include various types of legal conflicts.
The procedures managed by the Constitutional Court include various types of legal conflicts.
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The Constitutional Court resolves issues specifically related to civil matters only.
The Constitutional Court resolves issues specifically related to civil matters only.
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The German Democratic Republic was located in the western part of the former Soviet Union.
The German Democratic Republic was located in the western part of the former Soviet Union.
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East Berlin served as the capital of the German Democratic Republic.
East Berlin served as the capital of the German Democratic Republic.
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The German Democratic Republic was formed during the Cold War period.
The German Democratic Republic was formed during the Cold War period.
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East Germany was entirely situated within the borders of West Germany.
East Germany was entirely situated within the borders of West Germany.
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The capital of East Germany was located in a city west of Berlin.
The capital of East Germany was located in a city west of Berlin.
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The Federal Republic of Germany is a unitary state.
The Federal Republic of Germany is a unitary state.
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All authority in the German state comes from the people.
All authority in the German state comes from the people.
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Germany is classified as a monarchy.
Germany is classified as a monarchy.
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The Federal Republic of Germany has a constitutional order that supports democracy.
The Federal Republic of Germany has a constitutional order that supports democracy.
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State authority in Germany originates from the government officials.
State authority in Germany originates from the government officials.
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The power of governance in a country can only be exercised by elected officials.
The power of governance in a country can only be exercised by elected officials.
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People can influence governance through specific legislative and executive bodies.
People can influence governance through specific legislative and executive bodies.
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Voting is the only method through which the people can exercise their power.
Voting is the only method through which the people can exercise their power.
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Elections are not a significant aspect of democratic governance.
Elections are not a significant aspect of democratic governance.
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The judicial system plays no role in exercising the power of the people.
The judicial system plays no role in exercising the power of the people.
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Study Notes
Germany
- Germany was controlled by the Nazi dictatorship in the 1930s, leading to expansionism and eventually defeat in World War II.
- Germany was partitioned after WWII, with the western part (occupied by the US, Britain, and France) becoming West Germany (capital: Bonn).
- The eastern part (occupied by the Soviet Union) became East Germany (capital: East Berlin).
- West Germany became a major European industrial power and joined the EEC.
- East Germany remained under Soviet control until the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, when East and West Germany reunited on October 3, 1990.
German Government
- The Federal Republic of Germany is a federal parliamentary republic.
- The Chancellor is the head of government, while the President of Germany has a ceremonial role with substantial reserve powers.
- Executive power is vested in the Federal Cabinet.
- Legislative power is vested in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
- Major political parties include the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Left Alliance (Greens).
Federal Legislative
- Legislative power is divided between the Bundestag (directly elected by German citizens) and the Bundesrat (representing the regional states).
- The Bundestag has more power, requiring only consent from the Bundesrat for some legislation related to shared revenue and responsibilities.
- The Bundestag was founded in 1949, with a four-year term and a system of proportional representation.
Elections (Article 38)
- German Bundestag members are elected by general, direct, free, equal, and secret elections.
- Representatives are not bound by instructions and accountable only to their conscience.
- Any citizen 18 or older can vote; those of legal majority can stand for election.
- Specific details are governed by federal law.
Executive Branch
- The head of state is the President of Germany, whose role is mainly ceremonial, with actions representing the legitimacy and unity of the state.
- The head of government is the Federal Chancellor, elected by the Bundestag.
- The Chancellor cannot be removed during their four-year term unless the Bundestag agrees on a successor through a constructive vote of no confidence.
Constructive Vote of No Confidence
- A constructive vote removes a head of government only if there is a majority for a replacement.
- A destructive vote of no confidence is without nomination of new candidate.
Judicial Branch
- The German judiciary is independent with strong courts and judicial review covering almost all state actions.
- The Basic Law provides for a Constitutional Court responsible for any violations of constitutional rights by the state, after exhausting other appeal channels.
- The Court also handles disputes between state institutions and can outlaw political parties if their objectives contradict the constitution.
Judicial System (Civil Law)
- The judicial system includes three types of courts.
- Ordinary courts handle criminal and most civil cases (highest is the Federal Court of Justice).
- Specialized courts deal with areas like administrative, labor, social, fiscal, and patent law.
- Constitutional courts handle judicial review of constitutional interpretation (highest is the Federal Constitutional Court).
Germany Constitution
- Article 1 emphasizes human dignity, legally binding basic rights, with the duty of all state authority to respect and protect human dignity.
- Article 9 covers freedom of association, forbidding associations with aims or activities contradicting criminal laws or the concept of international understanding.
Basic Institutional Principles (Article 20)
- The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic, social, and federal state.
- The power of the state comes from the people, exercised through elections, and legislative, executive, and judicial bodies.
- The legislature must adhere to the constitution, while the executive and judiciary function under law and justice.
- Citizens have the right to resist any person seeking to abolish the constitution if other remedies are unavailable.
Foreign Relations
- Germany is part of NATO, OECD, G8, G20, the World Bank, IMF, and the European Union.
- It is a significant contributor to the European Union and United Nations budgets (27% and 8% respectively).
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Description
Explore the complex history of Germany from Nazi control in the 1930s through its division after WWII, leading to reunification in 1990. Understand the structure of the German government, including the roles of the Chancellor and the President. This quiz covers key historical events and the political system of modern Germany.
