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

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

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

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

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Plaque commemorating the restoration of relations between Germany and France, showing Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle.

1876: Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer is born January 5 in Cologne as the third of five children of the Catholic lawyer Konrad Adenauer and his wife Helene, nee Scharfenberg. 1876: Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer is born January 5 in Cologne as the third of five children of the Catholic lawyer Konrad Adenauer and his wife Helene, nee Scharfenberg : Studies law in Freiburg, Munich, and Bonn : Studies law in Freiburg, Munich, and Bonn. 1904: Marries Emma Weyer. Three children from the marriage: Konrad, Max und Ria. Elected to the Cologne city council in : Marries Emma Weyer. Three children from the marriage: Konrad, Max und Ria. Elected to the Cologne city council in 1906.

1917: Elected mayor (Oberbürgermeister) of Cologne. 1917: Elected mayor (Oberbürgermeister) of Cologne. 1933: In February Adenauer refuses to receive Hitler during a campaign visit to Cologne and has Nazi flags removed from the Deutzer bridge. In March Adenauer leaves the city and the Nazis announce his removal from office. In 1934 they arrest Adenauer but release him two days later. 1933: In February Adenauer refuses to receive Hitler during a campaign visit to Cologne and has Nazi flags removed from the Deutzer bridge. In March Adenauer leaves the city and the Nazis announce his removal from office. In 1934 they arrest Adenauer but release him two days later.

1944: After the attempted assassination of Hitler in July, Adenauer is arrested and put in a concentration camp. 1944: After the attempted assassination of Hitler in July, Adenauer is arrested and put in a concentration camp. 1945: Restored as mayor of Cologne by the Americans in May, removed from office by the British in October when they assume control of the city. 1945: Restored as mayor of Cologne by the Americans in May, removed from office by the British in October when they assume control of the city : In August 1949 Adenauer is elected as a representative in the German Bundestag (parliament). In September he becomes Germany's first Federal Chancellor, winning office by just one vote. He remains chancellor for 14 years : In August 1949 Adenauer is elected as a representative in the German Bundestag (parliament). In September he becomes Germany's first Federal Chancellor, winning office by just one vote. He remains chancellor for 14 years.