Konrad Adenauer

Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) was a German statesman and politician who became the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), serving from 1949 to 1963. A leading figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), he helped shape West Germany’s postwar democratic institutions and pursued close alignment with Western Europe and the United States. Adenauer supported European cooperation and was a key participant in early steps toward European integration. Before the Second World War he served as mayor of Cologne (1917–1933) and was removed by the Nazi regime. His chancellorship emphasized economic recovery, security, and reconciliation.