Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer

Konrad Adenauer is considered the most

important German who has ever lived.

Why?

Who is this man?

Konrad Adenauer was the first chancellor of Konrad Adenauer was the first chancellor of the German Federal Rebublic, an office he the German Federal Rebublic, an office he held for 14 years — a era in which the country held for 14 years — a era in which the country recovered from the Nazi dictatorship, built up recovered from the Nazi dictatorship, built up Europe's strongest economy, dealt with the Europe's strongest economy, dealt with the Berlin Wall and the Cold War, and gained a Berlin Wall and the Cold War, and gained a leading role in Europe. leading role in Europe.

As chancellor, Adenauer worked to strengthen As chancellor, Adenauer worked to strengthen German foreign policy and ties with the U.S. German foreign policy and ties with the U.S. and France in particular. He became a and France in particular. He became a respected world leader and pushed Germany's respected world leader and pushed Germany's membership in NATO and the EEC (later the membership in NATO and the EEC (later the European Union). After resigning as European Union). After resigning as chancellor in 1963, he remained the head of chancellor in 1963, he remained the head of the CDU until 1966. Adenauer died at his villa the CDU until 1966. Adenauer died at his villa in Rhöndorf near Bonn in 1967 in Rhöndorf near Bonn in 1967

Adenauer studied law in Freiburg i.B., Adenauer studied law in Freiburg i.B., Munich, and Bonn. In 1916 he was elected to Munich, and Bonn. In 1916 he was elected to the Cologne city council. In 1917 he became the Cologne city council. In 1917 he became mayor of Cologne. In that position Adenauer mayor of Cologne. In that position Adenauer was responsible for many improvements to the was responsible for many improvements to the city and the reestablishment of the university. city and the reestablishment of the university.

When the Nazis came to power, Adenauer When the Nazis came to power, Adenauer refused to cooperate and he was put out of refused to cooperate and he was put out of office. After several arrests, he was sent to a office. After several arrests, he was sent to a concentration camp in 1944. After the war, the concentration camp in 1944. After the war, the Americans restored him as mayor of Cologne Americans restored him as mayor of Cologne in May 1945, but the British removed him in May 1945, but the British removed him from office in September when they assumed from office in September when they assumed control of the city. However, Adenauer was by control of the city. However, Adenauer was by then active in the CDU party he had helped then active in the CDU party he had helped found, and he became the country's first found, and he became the country's first chancellor, winning by just one vote on Sept. chancellor, winning by just one vote on Sept. 15, 1949. 15, 1949.

Video Link:Video Link:

Plaque commemorating the restoration of relations Plaque commemorating the restoration of relations between Germany and France, showing Adenauer between Germany and France, showing Adenauer

and Charles de Gaulle.and Charles de Gaulle.

1876: Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer is born 1876: Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer is born January 5 in Cologne as the third of five children of January 5 in Cologne as the third of five children of the Catholic lawyer Konrad Adenauer and his wife the Catholic lawyer Konrad Adenauer and his wife Helene, nee Scharfenberg.Helene, nee Scharfenberg.

1894-1901: Studies law in Freiburg, Munich, and 1894-1901: Studies law in Freiburg, Munich, and Bonn.Bonn.

1904: Marries Emma Weyer. Three children from the 1904: Marries Emma Weyer. Three children from the marriage: Konrad, Max und Ria. Elected to the marriage: Konrad, Max und Ria. Elected to the Cologne city council in 1906.Cologne city council in 1906.

1917: Elected mayor (Oberbürgermeister) of 1917: Elected mayor (Oberbürgermeister) of Cologne.Cologne.

1933: In February Adenauer refuses to receive 1933: In February Adenauer refuses to receive Hitler during a campaign visit to Cologne and Hitler during a campaign visit to Cologne and has Nazi flags removed from the Deutzer has Nazi flags removed from the Deutzer bridge. In March Adenauer leaves the city and bridge. In March Adenauer leaves the city and the Nazis announce his removal from office. In the Nazis announce his removal from office. In 1934 they arrest Adenauer but release him two 1934 they arrest Adenauer but release him two days later.days later.

1944: After the attempted assassination of 1944: After the attempted assassination of Hitler in July, Adenauer is arrested and put in Hitler in July, Adenauer is arrested and put in a concentration camp.a concentration camp.

1945: Restored as mayor of Cologne by the 1945: Restored as mayor of Cologne by the Americans in May, removed from office by Americans in May, removed from office by the British in October when they assume the British in October when they assume control of the city.control of the city.

1949-1966: In August 1949 Adenauer is 1949-1966: In August 1949 Adenauer is elected as a representative in the German elected as a representative in the German Bundestag (parliament). In September he Bundestag (parliament). In September he becomes Germany's first Federal Chancellor, becomes Germany's first Federal Chancellor, winning office by just one vote. He remains winning office by just one vote. He remains chancellor for 14 years.chancellor for 14 years.