Konrad Adenauer

Pioneering German statesman, first Chancellor of West Germany, and EU founding father.

Chronology: 1876-01-05 – 1967-04-19

Origins & Early Life

Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer (5 January 1876 – 19 April 1967) was a German statesman and politician who served as the first chancellor of West Germany from 1949 to 1963. From 1946 to 1966, he was the first leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a newly founded Christian democratic party, which became the dominant force in the country under his leadership. Adenauer is considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union. As a devout Catholic, Adenauer was a leading politician of the Catholic Centre Party in the Weimar Republic, serving as Mayor of Cologne (1917–1933) and as president of the Prussian State Council.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In the early years of the Federal Republic, he switched focus from denazification to recovery, and led his country to close relations with France, the United Kingdom and the United States. During his years in power, he worked to restore the West German economy from the destruction of World War II to a central position in Europe with a market-based economy, liberal democracy, stability, international respect, and economic prosperity. Adenauer belied his age by his intense work habits and his uncanny political instinct. A strong anti-communist, he was deeply...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Source: Wikipedia