Topic 4: Political Symbols of Germany

Lesson 3: What is the structure and organization of Germany’s national government?

Lesson Objective

The student will compare similarities and differences between the German and U.S. federal system.

Materials and Resources

Transparency 23 -
“Government Organization in the Federal Republic of Germany”

Transparency 24 and 24A -
“Elections for State Governments” and
“The Formation of the Bundesrat (Upper House)”

Handout 8 - “Structure of Government in the Federal Republic of Germany”
Worksheet 18 - “Organizational Chart Analysis”

Strategies

A few days before beginning this activity ask students to clip articles from the newspaper dealing with activities of the U.S. president. On the day of the activity, pair up students and distribute one copy of Handout 8 “Structure of Government in the Federal Republic of Germany” and one copy of Worksheet 18 “Organizational Chart Analysis” to each group. Display Transparency 23 “Government Organization in the Federal Republic of Germany” while students complete the worksheet. Transparencies 24 and 24A explain the process of electing the state governments and the process of forming the “Bundesrat”.