Konrad Adenauer Biography

Konrad Adenauer was the first Chancellor of Germany after the World War II and in this position he played a major role in rebuilding the nation from the ruins of the war. Often referred to as the "Der Alte" ("the old man"), he was in his seventies when he wast elected as the chancellor. But he never let his age become a hurdle when it came to serving his beloved nation which he helped rebuild from a war-ravaged region to an industrialized and prosperous country. Under his leadership and guidance, Germany became a democracy and achieved stability and economic prosperity. He also became famous for forging close relations with erstwhile enemy nations and for re-establishing the position of Germany on the international scenario. A qualified lawyer, he was interested in politics from a young age and was active in the Cologne city council, soon becoming the Mayor for Cologne. An outspoken and bold personality, he opposed Hitler and the Nazi Party and was forced to keep a low profile for years in fear of persecution. Still he was arrested and sent to a concentration camp but miraculously survived the war. After the war he was elected as the first Chancellor of Germany and in this position he played a pivotal role in the country’s reconstruction.