Germany VS United States

1. Germany VS United States Miranda Tressler

2. Type of Government/Constitution Germany U.S. President Barack Obama He was elected He is on his second term, so eight years. Qualifications Natural born U.S. citizen Be at least 35 years of age Live in the U.S. for 14 years. • President (Chief of state) and Chancellor (Head of government) • Joachim Gauk (2012) and Angela Merkel (2005) • President is elected for a five year term. Chancellor elected for a four year term.

3. Lawmaking Body Bundestag Congress Bicameral Consists of two houses Senate House of Representatives Consists of 435 members for the House of Representatives Senate seats depends on the population of the state. • The lawmaking body in Germany is called a Bundestag. • It is bicameral • It consists of 622 seats • Members are elected by popular vote for a four year term under a system of personalization

4. Important Rights Germany United States Freedom of speech Freedom of religion Right to bear arms Right to a fair and speedy trial • Their constitution states “Human dignity is inviolable” • This protects their human rights. • Mandatory military services for male citizens was established in 1956

5. Political Parties Germany United States Government type: Democratic Bicameral Legislature Multi-party, but mainly ruled by a two-party system. Democratic and Republican Independence Day: July 4 • Government type: Federal Republic • Bicameral Legislature • Two party system • National Symbol: • Black eagle • Independence Day: • January 11 • Religions: • Protestant, Roman Catholic

6. Elections and Voting Germany United States Voting age: 18 Electoral College Voters in each state choose slates of electors pledged to one candidate or another. Each state receives the number of electoral votes equal to the number of its members of the House of Representatives The electoral college chooses the final decision of the candidate. Presidential elections every 4 years Other elections depend on what the election is for. Primary election • Voting age: 18 • In each of Germany’s 16 states, parties draw up “state lists” • Parties are rewarded a certain number of seats • When all the first and second votes have been counted, the number of direct candidates are subtracted from the number of seats won through the second vote. • Presidential elections every 5 years. • Chancellor elections every 4 years. • Primary election

7. Taxes and Government Finance Germany United States Income Tax Sales Tax Military: $683.7 billion Education: $809.6 billion Healthcare: $2.6 trillion (2010) 15.2% GDP (2008) • Income Tax • Church Tax • Taxes: 44.9% GDP (2012) • Inflation rate: 2% • Military: $34.09 billion • Education: $129.8 billion • Healthcare: $368.78 billion

8. Law Germany United States Car thefts: 1,246,096 Drug offences: 560.1 per 100,000 people Gun violence: 39.5604 Jails: 1,558 Murders committed by youths: 8,226 Murders with firearms: 9,369 Prisoners: 2,019,234 Software piracy rate: 20% Suicide rates ages 15-24: 13.7 per 100,000 people Suicide rates ages 25-34: 15.3 per 100,000 people Total crimes: 11,877,218 • Car thefts: 70,617 • Drug offences: 250,969 per 100,000 people • Gun violence: 28.5714 • Jails: 209 • Murders committed by youths: 156 • Murders with firearms: 269 • Prisoners: 74,904 • Software piracy rate: 27% • Suicide rates ages 15-24: 4.7 per 100,000 people • Suicide rates ages 25-34: 9.4 per 100,000 people • Total crimes: 6,507,394

9. Current Relationship • The Marshall Plan and U.S. troop presence in Germany has left a legacy of cooperation between both nations. • Politically, economically, and militarily. • Although both countries have had recent disagreements on foreign policy, especially with the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, relations remained favorable overall. • Especially with the election of pro-American politician Angela Merkel.

10. Other History Projects • 9th grade: My Family Tree • 10th grade: Germany • 11th grade: Ancestor Career