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Konrad Adenauer (January 5, 1876 – April 19, 1967) was a conservative German statesman. Although his political career spanned Sixty years, beginning when early when 1906, he is most noted for his role when West Germany's first chancellor from 1949-1963 and chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1950 to 1966.

Biography

Life until 1945

Konrad Adenauer wwhen innate as a third of 5 youngsters of Johann Adenauer & his married woman Helene (née Scharfenberg) around Cologne. Within 1894 he completed his Abitur & started to survey law and politics at a universities of Freiburg, Munich and Bonn. He was member around many catholic students associations. He finished his studies within 1901. Afterward he worked as a attorney at a court around Cologne.

As a devout Roman Catholic joined a Centre Party in 1906 and was elected into Cologne's city parliament in the same season. Within 1909 he became Vice Mayor of Cologne. From either 1917 to 1933 he served when City manager of Cologne, & in and of itself, flirted by having the Rhenish state as a portion of Germany, however outside Prussia. In a period of the Weimar Republic he was president of the Prussian State Council (Preußischer Staatsrat) from 1922 to 1933, which was the representation of the Prussian cities & provinces.

Whenever a Nazis rose to power in 1933, a Centre Person misused the elections within Cologne & Adenauer fled to the abbey of Maria Laach. He was imprisoned briefly when a Night of the Long Knives. A next ii years he changed pages typically. Within 1937 he was successful within claiming compensation for his confiscated home & lived the life in privacy for a few years. When a failed assassination attempt on Hitler in 1944 he was imprisoned. Non believing inside its profits, he got non been a share of the plot, possibly whenever occasionally of the plotter experienced asked him to participate. He was extricated occasionally weeks late. When a war, a Americans installed him once more when City manager of Cologne, however a British administration dismissed him for "incompetence" late.

Post-war career as Chancellor of West Germany

Fallowing his dismissal when city manager of Cologne, Adenauer had a period, at age 69, to devote himself to building a fresh political person, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a successor to the Catholic Center Person which hoped to embrace Protestants also when Catholics within one person. Inside January 1946, Adenauer astonished people attending at a person meeting of a CDU in the British zone by claiming the right to chair the meeting because he was the oldest human attending (Älterspräsident). He continued to work when in case he were a chair of the zonal person potentially though he was never formally elected. Adenauer worked diligently at building higher contacts & trend lines in a CDU on top the next couple of years, & he sought by owning varying profits to inflict his particular ideology on the person. His was an ideology contradictory by having numerous in the CDU world health organization wished to united socialism and Christianity; Adenauer instead favored stressing supplementary a dignity of the single, & he lumped together each socialism and Nazism as "materialist" world views that violated a dignity of the personal.

Adenauer's leading role in a CDU of the British zone won him the position at the Parliamentary Council of 1948, known as into being per American Allies to draft a constitution for the triplet american zones of Germany. He was a chairperson of this constitutional convention, & rather George Washington in a United States, vaulted from either this position to existence chosen number 1 head of government another time the freshly "Basic Law" was promulgated around Can 1949.

Adenauer became a 1st Chancellor of Germany after the 2nd Globe War, from either 1949-1963, a cycle which spans virtually all of the preliminary phase of the Cold War. When you took this time period, West Germany was politically separated from East Germany. Adenauer was A co-founder of the The number 1 elections to the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) were held on August 15, 1949, with a Christian Democrats emerging when a strongest person. Theodor Heuss was elected number 1 President of a Republic, & Adenauer was elected the foremost German Federal Chancellor in September 16, 1949.

Adenauer's accomplishment include the establishment of the stable democracy within frustrated (West) Germany, a lasting reconciliation by having France, a general political reorientation towards a West, convalescent limited, however far-reaching sovereignty for West Germany by firmly integrating it sustaining a emerging Euro-Atlantic community (NATO and the European Economic Community). Adenauer is likewise associated by owning establishing an effective pension system, which ensured an unparalleled prosperity for retired souls, & - along by having his Minister for Economic Affairs & successor Ludwig Erhard - with the West German model of a "social market economy" (a mixed economy with capitalism moderated by elements of social welfare and Catholic social teaching), which allowed for a boom time period called the Wirtschaftswunder ("economic miracle") and produced wide prosperity.

Then again, contemporary critics accused him of cementing a section of Germany, sacrificing reunion & a recovery of territories wasted to Poland and the Soviet Union for a sake of speedy integration with the West. In the Cold War, Adenauer's advocacy of West German rearmament & required selective service contradicted a wide pacifistic consensus of post-war German society. As well, disregarding of the Wirtschaftswunder, his era was seen as a instance of a unfeeling stuffy & politically oppressively conservative atmosphere, where anti-communism thrived, when the memory of the Nazi past was conveniently suppressed & numbers of previous Nazi officers returned to the civil service. A German student movement of the late 1960s was essentially a protest against the conservativism Adenauer experienced personified. A second point of criticism was that Adenauer's commitment to reconciliation using France was inside stark direct contrast to the certain indifference towards Poland. Adenauer refused to recognize a Polish american border & openly talked just about changing a border by having Poland fallowing strengthening Germany's position within Europe.

Nevertheless, in a final analysis, caring assessments of his chancellorship prevail - non sole by using a German public, which voted him the "greatest German of all time" within the 2003 television poll, but as well sustaining now's left-wing intellect, world health organization praise his unconditional commitment to american-style democracy & European integration, & his reluctance all about national reunion.

Additional actions as Chancellor

Secured a release of the go German prisoners of war inside 1955. Open diplomatic relations using a USSR & more Eastern bloc nations, but refused to recognize a German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Reached an agreement by owning a United states inside 1957 that gave West Germany possession of weapons capable of transporting nuclear warheads. Moreover, Adenauer pursued nuclear cooperation sustaining more countries by using the goal of the FRG existence breathe to make its have nuclear armament. Oversaw a rejoining of Saarland with West Germany in 1957. Briefly considered run the professional of President in 1959. Notwithstanding, he instead chose the candidate (Heinrich Lübke) whom he believed weak sufficiency does'nt to disturb his affairs when Chancellor.

For tons of his efforts when West Germany's leader, Adenauer was known as TIME magazine's Man of the Year in 1953. Around 1954 he received the Karlspreis (engl.: Charlemagne Award), an Award by the German city of Aachen to people world health organization contributed to the European idea & European peace.

When in 1967, after his demise at a age of 91, humans were invite what it admired virtually all just about Adenauer, a majority responded that Adenauer brought front yard a survive German prisoners of war from either a USSR.

Political scandals

Around 1962 a scandal erupted when police under cabinet orders arrested five Der Spiegel journalists, charging them by using high treason, specifically for publishing a memorandum detailing alleged weaknesses around West German armed forces. A cabinet members, belonging to the Free Democratic Party, left their positions in November 1962, & Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss, himself the chair of the Christian Social Union, was dismissed, followed per left Christian Democratic Union cabinet members. Adenauer managed to remaaround in professional for well-nigh a second month, however wwhen in time forced to resign & was succeeded as Chancellor by Ludwig Erhard. He did remain chairperson of the CDU until 1966.

Adenauer's First Ministry, September 20, 1949 - October 20, 1953
Konrad Adenauer (CDU) - Chancellor Franz Blücher (FDP) - Vice Chancellor and Minister of European recovery program Affairs Gustav Heinemann (CDU) - Minister of the Interior Fritz Schäffer (CSU) - Minister of Finance Thomas Dehler (FDP) - Minister of Justice Ludwig Erhard (CDU) - Minister of Economics Anton Storch (CDU) - Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Wilhelm Niklas (CSU) - Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Hans-Christoph Seebohm (DP) - Minister of Transport Eberhard Wildermuth (FDP) - Minister of Construction Hans Schuberth (CSU) - Minister of Posts and Communications Hans Lukaschek (CDU) - Minister of Displaced Persons, Refugees, & War Victims Jakob Kaiser (CDU) - Minister of All-German Affairs Heinrich Hellwege (DP) - Minister of Bundesrat Affairs

Changes October 13, 1950 - Robert Lehr (CDU) succeeds Heinemann as Minister of the Interior. March 15, 1951 - Konrad Adenauer becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs once well as Chancellor when a Allies allow this post to exist as revived. July 19, 1952 - Fritz Neumayer (FDP) succeeds Wildermuth (d.9 March) as Minister of Construction.

Adenauer's Second Ministry, October 20, 1953 - October 29, 1957
Konrad Adenauer (CDU) - Chancellor & Minister of Foreign Affairs Franz Blücher (FDP) - Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Cooperation Gerhard Schröder (CDU) - Minister of the Interior Fritz Schäffer (CSU) - Minister of Finance Fritz Neumayr (FDP) - Minister of Justice Ludwig Erhard (CDU) - Minister of Economics Anton Storch (CDU) - Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Heinrich Lübke (CDU) - Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Hans-Christoph Seebohm (DP) - Minister of Transport Viktor-Emanuel Preusker (FDP) - Minister of Construction Franz-Josef Wuermeling (CDU) - Minister of Family Affairs Franz Josef Strauss (CSU) - Minister of Special Tasks Robert Tillmanns (CDU) - Minister of Special Tasks Waldemar Kraft (GB/BHE) - Minister of Special Tasks Hermann Schäfer (FDP) - Minister of Special Tasks Siegfried Balke - Minister of Posts and Communications Theodor Oberländer (GB/BHE) - Minister of Displaced Persons, Refugees, & War Victims Jakob Kaiser (CDU) - Minister of All-German Affairs Heinrich Hellwege (DP) - Minister of Bundesrat Affairs

Changes June 7, 1955 - Theodor Blank (CDU) becomes Minister of Defense when that post is revived. June 8, 1955 - Heinrich von Brentano (CDU) succeeds Adenauer as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hans-Joachim von Merkatz (DP) succeeds Hellwege as Minister of Bundesrat Affairs. October 19, 1955 - Franz Josef Strauss (CSU) becomes Minister of Atomic Affairs November 12, 1955 - Tillmanns leaves the cabinet. October 16, 1956 - Franz Josef Strauss (CSU) succeeds Blank as Minister of Defense. Hans-Joachim von Merkatz succeeds Neumayr as Minister of Justice. Kraft paper & Schäfer leave a Cabinet. Siegfried Balke (CSU) succeeds Strauss as Minister of Atomic Affairs. November 15, 1956 - Ernst Lemmer (CDU) succeeds Balke as Minister of Posts & Communications.

Adenauer's Third Ministry, October 29, 1957 - November 14, 1961
Konrad Adenauer (CDU) - Chancellor Ludwig Erhard (CDU) - Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics Heinrich von Brentano (CDU) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Franz Josef Strauss (CSU) - Minister of Defense Gerhard Schröder (CDU) - Minister of the Interior Franz Etzel (CDU) - Minister of Finance Fritz Schäffer (CSU) - Minister of Justice Theodor Blank (CDU) - Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Heinrich Lübke (CDU) - Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Hans-Christoph Seebohm (DP) - Minister of Transport Paul Lücke (CDU) - Minister of Construction Franz-Josef Wuermeling (CDU) - Minister of Family & Youth Affairs Richard Stücklen (CSU) - Minister of Posts and Communications Theodor Oberländer (CDU) - Minister of Displaced Persons, Refugees, & War Victims Ernst Lemmer (CDU) - Minister of All-German Affairs Hans-Joachim von Merkatz (DP) - Minister of Bundesrat and State Affairs Siegfried Balke (CSU) - Minister of Nuclear Energy and Water Hermann Lindrath (CDU) - Minister of Federal Economic Possessions

Changes September 13, 1959 - Werner Schwarz (CDU) succeeds Lübke as Minister of Food, Agriculture, & Forestry. April 5, 1960 - Oberländer resigns as Minister of Displaced Souls, Refugees, & War Those. May 4, 1960 - Hans Wilhelmi (CDU) succeeds Lindrath (d.27 February) as Minister of Federal Economic Possessions. October 27, 1960 - Hans-Joachim von Merkatz (CDU) becomes Minister of Displaced Persons, Refugees, & War Hikers.

Adenauer's Fourth Ministry, November 14, 1961 - October 16, 1963
Konrad Adenauer (CDU) - Chancellor Ludwig Erhard (CDU) - Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics Gerhard Schröder (CDU) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Franz Josef Strauss (CSU) - Minister of Defense Hermann Höcherl (CSU) - Minister of the Interior Heinz Starke (FDP) - Minister of Finance Wolfgang Stammberger (FDP) - Minister of Justice Theodor Blank (CDU) - Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Werner Schwarz (CDU) - Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Hans-Christoph Seebohm (CDU) - Minister of Transport Paul Lücke (CDU) - Minister of Construction Franz-Josef Wuermeling (CDU) - Minister of Family & Youth Affairs Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt (CDU) - Minister of Health Walter Scheel (FDP) - Minister of Economic Cooperation Heinrich Krone (CDU) - Minister of Special Tasks Richard Stücklen (CSU) - Minister of Posts and Communications Wolfgang Mischnick (FDP) - Minister of Displaced Persons, Refugees, & War Victims Ernst Lemmer (CDU) - Minister of All-German Affairs Hans-Joachim von Merkatz (CDU) - Minister of Bundesrat and State Affairs Siegfried Balke (CSU) - Minister of Nuclear Energy and Water Hans Lenz (FDP) - Minister of Federal Treasure

Changes November 19, 1962 Ewald Bucher (FDP) succeeds Stammberger as Minister of Justice. Werner Dollinger (CSU) succeeds Lenz as Minister of Federal Treasure. December 14, 1962 - Rolf Dahlgrün (FDP) succeeds Starke as Minister of Finance. Bruno Heck (CDU) succeeds Wuermeling as Minister of Personal & Youth Affairs. Hans Lenz (FDP) enters the ministry when Minister of Scientific The food and drug administration. Rainer Barzel (CDU) succeeds Lemmer as Minister of A lot-German Affairs. Alois Niederalt (CSU) succeeds Merkatz as Minister of Bundesrat & State Affairs. A Ministry of Nuclear Energy & H2o is abolished, & Balke leaves a cabinet. January 9, 1963 - Kai-Uwe von Hassel (CDU) succeeds Strauss as Minister of Defense.

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Oral History Interview with Konrad Adenauer
Transcript of a 1964 interview with the former Chancellor on his views on Harry S. Truman and the Marshall Plan.

Konrad Adenauer
A concise biography from Wikipedia.

Konrad Adenauer
A short biography and quotes from notable speeches, memoirs and letters.

Konrad Adenauer
A biography and profile from CNN.






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