Konrad Adenauer

Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer (German pronunciation: [ˈkɔnʁaːt ˈhɛɐman ˈjoːzɛf ˈaːdənaʊɐ]; 5 January 1876 – 19 April 1967) was a German statesman who led his nation from the ruins of World War II to one of the most prosperous nations in Europe. He brought Germany prosperity, democracy, stability and respect.[1] He was the first chancellor (head of government) 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. Since its foundation in 1946, the CDU has been the most dominant political party in Germany.

"Der Alte" ("the old one") 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 shrewd politician, Adenauer was deeply committed to a Western-oriented foreign policy and restoring the position of West Germany on the world stage. He worked to restore West German economy from the destruction inWorld War II to central position in Europe, rebuilt its army and came to terms with France, helped make possible Western European unification, opposed rival East Germany, and made his nation a member of NATO and a firm ally of the United States.

He began the German reconciliation with the Jews and Israel after the Holocaust, while ending denazification of West Germany; and reintegrated former Nazi party members to political life. More than anyone else Adenauer set the direction and policies that shaped Germany since 1950. He is regarded as one of the most prominent German leaders, and is acknowledged as the "Father of the New Germany."[2] While he is generally regarded as one of the most notable leaders of Germany, his later years remain somewhat controversial, because of his unwillingness to abdicate despite his high age[3], his support for restricting the freedom of the press (Spiegel scandal)[4] and his apologetic attitude towards former Nazis, which contributed to generate animosity among the German population that would later lead to the events of the German Autumn[5]. His strong anti-Communist policy kept relations with eastern Europe frozen until the opposition came to power and Chancellor Willi Brandt introduced his Ostpolitik in the late 1960s.

A devout Catholic, he was a leading Centre Party politician in the Weimar Republic, he served as Mayor of Cologne (1917–1933) and president of the Prussian State Council (1922–1933).

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Konrāts Germans Jozefs Adenauers (vācu: Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer; 1876. gada 5. janvāris, Ķelne - 1967. gada 19. aprīlis, Badhonefa) ir pirmais Vācijas kanclers (1949-1963). No amata atkāpies 87 gadu vecumā, tādēļ ir viens no vecākajiem valsts vadītājiem mūsdienu vēsturē.