Konrad Adenauer Biography

Birth of Conrad Adenauer, the "Old Fox"

Appointed Deputy Mayor of Cologne

Appointed Mayor of Cologne

Appointed President of the Prussian Council

Dismissed by the Nazis

Forced to flee to Switzerland because of his opposition to Hitler

Arrested by the Gestapo

Arrested because of his opposition to Hitler

Rather than revive the Centre Party Adenauer creates the CDU. Founds & leads the Christian Democratic Union

Appointed Chairman of the Parliamentary Council, West Germany's ruling body

The Basic Laws are drawn up to provide West Germany with a working constitution. The Basic Law rests on the will of the people of the western Lander. A Federal Assembly, the Bundestag, is to be elected every 4 yrs by universal suffrage. A Constitution is postponed until re-unification

The Basic Law rests on the will of the people of the western Lander

A Federal Assembly, the Bundestag, is to be elected every 4 yrs by universal suffrage

The CDU wins a majority in the elections to the Federal Parliament

The CDU wins a majority in the elections to the Federal Parliament

The Basic Law (Grundgesetz), invests the Chancellor (German, Bundeskanzler) with broad powers to initiate Government policy & for that reason, some observers refer to the German political system as a "Chancellor democracy"

The Chancellor's authority emanates from the provisions of the Basic Law and in practice from his or her status as leader of the party (or coalition of parties) holding a majority of seats in the Bundestag (federal Parliament)

The Basic Law (Grundgesetz), invests the Chancellor (German, Bundeskanzler) with broad powers to initiate Government policy & for that reason, some observers refer to the German political system as a "Chancellor democracy"

The Chancellor's authority emanates from the provisions of the Basic Law and in practice from his or her status as leader of the party (or coalition of parties) holding a majority of seats in the Bundestag (federal Parliament)

With the founding of the Federal Republic, the German Chancellor is now officially addressed as "Herr Bundeskanzler"

Establishes the Federal Republics constitution

The Basic Law (Grundgesetz), invests the Chancellor (German, Bundeskanzler) with broad powers to initiate Government policy & for that reason, some observers refer to the German political system as a "Chancellor democracy"

Wins the 1st post war election for the CDU & heads a coalition Government

Appointed Chancellor of Germany

Forms a coalition Government of the CDU, CSU, FDP & DP parties

The European Payments Union is founded which regularizes trade payments

Rationing ends in West Germany, apart from sugar

Rationing ends in West Germany, apart from sugar

Advocates economic union with France

Advocates economic union with France

The Schuman Plan is launched in Paris. The French & German coal, iron & steel industries are placed under a single authority

Signs the European Coal and Steel Community treaty as West Germany enters postwar European cooperation.

The FDR & DDR agree to send reresentatives to the United Nations to discuss free elections. Russia opposes free elections in Germany

The FDR & DDR agree to send reresentatives to the United Nations to discuss free elections. Russia opposes free elections in Germany

Appointed Chancellor

A referendum in the Saar votes for reunification with Germany

A referendum in the Saar votes for reunification with Germany

West Germany joins NATO

West Germany promises bot to violate the defensive NATO charter and invade East Germany to achieve German reunification

Supports using the Spaak Report as the basis for treaty negotiations.

The Bank Deutscher Lander is renamed the Bundesbank

Adenauer joins the Paris conference that settles final disputes over the common market, overseas territories and Euratom.

Signs the Euratom Treaty for West Germany at the Rome ceremony.

Signs the Treaty of Rome for West Germany and supports deeper integration with France and the Benelux states.

Signs the Treaty of Rome for the Federal Republic of Germany and supports deeper European economic integration.

Signs the Treaty of Rome for the Federal Republic of Germany and commits Germany to the new European Economic Community.

Adenauer's government begins the parliamentary ratification process after the Bundesrat starts examining the treaty legislation.

Heads the Federal German government when the Treaty of Rome enters into force and the EEC begins operating.

The Saar is reunified with Germany

Participates in the Bonn summit where the Six seek proposals for closer political cooperation.

Agrees a rapprochment with France

Comprimised by the Spiegel Affair

Forced to resign after the Spiegel Affair

Forced to resign after the Spiegel Affair

Signs a Treaty with President de Gaulle. Provides for regular summits & cooperation in foreign, economic & cultural affairs

Signs a Treaty with President de Gaulle

The Bundestag ratifies the Franco-German Treaty

Resigns as Chairman of the CDU, age 90

Death of Konrad Adenauer