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'''Konrad Adenauer''' (1876- 1967), was the first chancellor (top official) of the Federal Republic of Germany ('''FRG''', called '''West Germany'''), 1949-63. He was the founder and leader of the [[Christian Democratic Union]] ('''CDU'''), a coalition of Catholics and Protestants that since 1946 has generally dominated German politics. A devout Catholic, he belied his age as the oldest elected leader in world history by his vigorous commitment to democracy, capitalism, and anti-Communism. A stern patriarch and shrewd politician, Adenauer was deeply committed to the traditional values of Christianity and pursued a single-mindedly Western-oriented foreign policy.  He restored the West Germany economy to dominance in Europe, rebuilt its army, came to terms with France, helped establish European unity, fought relentlessly against the Communists in rival [[East Germany]], and made his nation a pillar of [[NATO]] and a firm ally of the United States. To a large extent Adenauer's policies still dominate Germany.[[File:Adenauer1.jpg|thumb|230px]]

'''Konrad Adenauer''' (1876- 1967), was the first chancellor (top official) of the Federal Republic of Germany ('''FRG''', called '''West Germany'''), 1949-63. He was the founder and leader of the [[Christian Democratic Union]] ('''CDU'''), a coalition of Catholics and Protestants that since 1946 has generally dominated German politics. A devout Catholic, he belied his age as the oldest elected leader in world history by his intense work habits and his uncanny political instinct. He displayed a strong dedication to a broad vision of democracy, capitalism, and anti-Communism. A stern patriarch and shrewd politician, Adenauer was deeply committed to the traditional values of Christianity and pursued a single-mindedly Western-oriented foreign policy.  He restored the West Germany economy to dominance in Europe, rebuilt its army, came to terms with France, helped establish European unity, fought relentlessly against the Communists in rival [[East Germany]], and made his nation a pillar of [[NATO]] and a firm ally of the United States. He brough Germany prosperity, democracy, stability and respect.  To a large extent Adenauer's policies still dominate Germany.[[File:Adenauer1.jpg|thumb|230px]]

==Career==

==Career==

In 1933 Adenauer was dismissed from all his positions by the Hitler regime for "crimes against the German people." For 12 years he lived quietly near Bonn. In late 1944 the Gestapo put in a concentration camp.  

In 1933 Adenauer was dismissed from all his positions by the Hitler regime for "crimes against the German people." For 12 years he lived quietly near Bonn. In late 1944 the Gestapo put in a concentration camp.  

After Germany's surrender in May 1945 the Americans reinstalled Adenauer as lord mayor of Cologne. A few months later he was dismissed by the British, when Cologne was made part of their occupation zone, "for reasons of political incompetence."

After Germany's surrender in May 1945 the Americans reinstalled Adenauer as lord mayor of Cologne. A few months later he was dismissed by the British, when Cologne was made part of their occupation zone, "for reasons of political incompetence"--that is, for negotiating with the French about a separate Rhineland.

==West Germany==

==West Germany==

Adenauer became one of the founders of the [[Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU), a conservative coalition of Catholics and Protestants whose aim was to rebuild a shattered Germany in the Christian spirit. Adenauer insisted there be harmony between Protestants and Catholics in the new party.

Adenauer became one of the founders of the [[Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU), a conservative coalition of Catholics and Protestants whose aim was to rebuild a shattered Germany in the Christian spirit. Adenauer insisted there be harmony between Protestants and Catholics in the new party.

==Chancellor==

==Chancellor==

In 1946, at age 70, his great political career really began. Adenauer became CDU party leader and won a series of electoral battles against the chief rival, the [[Social Democratic Party]] (SPD), the former Socialist party. The three western zones of occupation merged into West Germany and in 1948 he became president of the parliamentary council, charged with designing a democratic constitution for the German Federal Republic. In 1949, the first German Federal Diet elected him chancellor. He was re-elected in 1953, 1957, and 1961. He retired in 1963, but remained the powerful head of the CDU until his death. He was succeeded as chancellor buy his finance minister [[Ludwig  Erhard]], who was chancellor 1963-66.

In 1946, at age 70, his great political career really began. Adenauer became CDU party leader and won a series of electoral battles against the chief rival, the [[Social Democratic Party]] (SPD), the former Socialist party. The three western zones of occupation merged into West Germany and in 1948 he became president of the parliamentary council, charged with designing a democratic constitution for the German Federal Republic. In 1949, the first German Federal Diet elected him chancellor. He was re-elected in 1953, 1957, and 1961. He was forced to retire in 1963 after mishandling the [[Berlin Wall]] crisis, but remained the powerful head of the CDU until his death. He was succeeded as chancellor by his economics minister [[Ludwig  Erhard]] (1897-1977), who was chancellor 1963-66.

===Domestic policies===

===Domestic policies===

Adenauer's always hewed to a few fundamental principles. He opposed the agglomeration of economic and political power in the hands of the state--the goal of the Socialists, saying it was a danger for the freedom of the individual. he promoted a division of power between business and the state, in which a limited, controlling function devolves upon the state, offers greater guarantees for the preservation of personal liberties.

Adenauer's always hewed to a few fundamental principles. He opposed the agglomeration of economic and political power in the hands of the state--the goal of the Socialists, saying it was a danger for the freedom of the individual. he promoted a division of power between business and the state, in which a limited, controlling function devolves upon the state, offers greater guarantees for the preservation of personal liberties.

Adenauer worked with the finance minister [[Ludwig Erhard]] (1897-1977) to promote free enterprise, reduce regulation, and promote economic "liberalism" especially in collaboration with the small but influential Free Democratic Party ('''FDP''')<ref>The term "liberalism" in Germany is similar to "libertarianism" in the U.S.</ref>  He did not oppose labor unions because he needed their support for his foreign policy.

Adenauer worked with the economics minister Erhard to promote free enterprise, reduce regulation, strengthen the mark (the currency before the Euro), and promote economic "liberalism" especially in collaboration with the small but influential Free Democratic Party ('''FDP''')<ref>The term "liberalism" in Germany is similar to "libertarianism" in the U.S.</ref>  He did not oppose labor unions because he needed their support for his foreign policy.

Opposed to extremism, Adenauer acted to make the neo-Nazi Socialist Reich Party illegal in 1952 and the Communist Party illegal in 1956.  

Opposed to extremism, Adenauer acted to make the neo-Nazi Socialist Reich Party illegal in 1952 and the Communist Party illegal in 1956.  

He tried but failed to make radio broadcasting a government monopoly.1

He tried but failed to make radio broadcasting a government monopoly.

===Foreign policies===

===Foreign policies===

====German rearmament====

====German rearmament====

The 1954 Treaties of Paris established the participation of the FRG in NATO and its rearmament. The new army that would make West Germany the strongest Central European power was formed according to traditional concepts. After President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] adopted the New Look policy aimed at reducing conventional forces and making nuclear arms the central element both of deterrence and defense in case of war, the German military remained bound to the old system, which envisioned fighting off a Soviet invasion through the "Fulda Gap" in central Germany. In 1956 the United States planned to drastically reduce its armed forces and strengthen American nuclear superiority. Adenauer then understood that his country would be in a position of disparity in the Atlantic alliance as a member without nuclear arms. Hoping that the availability of nuclear weapons would increase deterrence, he supported the assignment of nuclear warheads to West Germany by the United States.

Germany was disarmed until 1955, when Adenauer finally convinced his NATO allies that a German Army was both trustworthy and essential. The 1954 Treaties of Paris established the participation of the FRG in NATO and its rearmament. The new army made West Germany the strongest Central European power. After President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] adopted the New Look policy aimed at reducing conventional forces and making nuclear arms the central element both of deterrence and defense in case of war, the German military remained bound to the old system, which envisioned fighting off a Soviet invasion through the "Fulda Gap" in central Germany. In 1956 the United States planned to drastically reduce its armed forces and strengthen American nuclear superiority. Adenauer then understood that without nuclear weapons his country would be less powerful than Britain or France.  He learned that nuclear arms for Germany was politically unacceptable in Europe. Hoping that the availability of nuclear weapons would increase deterrence, he supported the assignment of nuclear warheads to West Germany by the United States.

====European Unity====

====European Unity====

Adenauer realized the bonding of the French and German economies was the necessary precondition of western European economic integration. He moved for closer ties with French occupation officials. The French responded favorably,  producing an economic rapprochement that led to West German membership in the European Community. The steady growth of Franco-German trade promoted political understanding between the two states and enabled France to make fundamental structural changes in her economy. This could not be accomplished along exclusively bilateral lines, but the Rome Treaties negotiations led France to move toward multilateral negotiations. French interest in nuclear research and the Suez Canal debacle strengthened this movement. With the establishment of the European Economic Community, France and West Germany were able to deal with western European problems as partners.  

Adenauer realized the bonding of the French and German economies was the necessary precondition of western European economic integration. He moved for closer ties with French occupation officials. The French responded favorably,  producing an economic rapprochement that led to West German membership in the European Community. The steady growth of Franco-German trade promoted political understanding between the two states and enabled France to make fundamental structural changes in her economy. This could not be accomplished along exclusively bilateral lines, but the Rome Treaties negotiations led France to move toward multilateral negotiations. French interest in nuclear research and the Suez Canal debacle strengthened this movement. With the establishment of the European Economic Community, France and West Germany were able to deal with western European problems as partners.  

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*  Granieri, Ronald J. ''The Ambivalent Alliance: Konrad Adenauer, the CDU/CSU, and the West, 1949-1966‎'' (2004) 250 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=gL0BUSQOc1EC&dq=intitle:Konrad+intitle:Adenauer&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]  

*  Granieri, Ronald J. ''The Ambivalent Alliance: Konrad Adenauer, the CDU/CSU, and the West, 1949-1966‎'' (2004) 250 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=gL0BUSQOc1EC&dq=intitle:Konrad+intitle:Adenauer&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]  

* Heidenheimer, Arnold J. ''Adenauer and the CDU: the Rise of the Leader and the Integration of the Party'' (1960)

* Heidenheimer, Arnold J. ''Adenauer and the CDU: the Rise of the Leader and the Integration of the Party'' (1960)

* Hiscocks, Richard. ''The Adenauer Era'' (1966)

* Hiscocks, Richard. ''The Adenauer Era'' (1966)

* Rovan, Joseph. ''Konrad Adenauer'' (1987) 182 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=3dHtW4yojJIC&dq=intitle:Konrad+intitle:Adenauer&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]  

* Rovan, Joseph. ''Konrad Adenauer'' (1987) 182 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=3dHtW4yojJIC&dq=intitle:Konrad+intitle:Adenauer&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]