Question 37
What is the Bundeswehr?
German original: Was ist die Bundeswehr?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- the German police
- a German port
- a German citizens' initiative
- the German army — Correct answer
Explanation
The Bundeswehr is the German armed forces. Founded in 1955, it is subject to parliamentary control: the Bundestag must approve deployments abroad (parliamentary army principle).
Key terms in this question
- the Federal Government / the Federation — The Federation refers to the central level of government in Germany, as opposed to the individual federal states (Länder). It is responsible for matters that affect the whole country, such as foreign policy or national defense.
- Federal Armed Forces — The Bundeswehr is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is responsible for the country's defense and international peacekeeping missions.