Originally published in the UK in 1956, this book presents the essence of the political philosophy of one of Europe’s best-known post-war statesmen, as well as his experience in government as head of Germany in one of its most critical periods of history. The role of Germany in a (then) new Europe is discussed, along with its rearmament, its greatly restored economic power and its relation to NATO. Germany’s Chancellor gives his views on the world struggle, the cold war, Germany and America, Germany and Israel and the difficulties and responsibilities of the alliance of free nations.
Under Konrad Adenauer, first chancellor of West Germany from 1949 to 1963, the country began economic reconstruction and joined north Atlantic treaty organization and the European Economic Community, an organization, established in 1957 to reduce tariff barriers and to promote trade among the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and West Germany, the original members of the later European Community.
Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer served as chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1950 to 1966. He, the oldest ever, began his first ministry at the age of 73 years and left at 87 years of age.