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Konrad Adenauer. [Credit: ©Karsh/Woodfin Camp and Associates](born Jan. 15, 1876, Cologne, German Empire—died April 19, 1967, Rhöndorf, W.Ger.) German statesman, first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Elected to the Cologne city council (1906), he served as the city's lord mayor (1917–33).
He was elected to the Prussian Staatsrat (state council) in 1920 and served as its speaker (1928–33). He lost his posts when the Nazis came to power, and in 1944 he was sent to a concentration camp. As World War II drew to a close, he played an important role in the formation of the Christian Democratic Union. As chancellor from 1949, Adenauer stressed individualism under the rule of law. His fear of Soviet expansion made him a strong supporter of NATO. He worked hard to reconcile Germany with its former enemies, especially France. He retired his post in 1963.
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