Konrad Adenauer served as the first Chancellor of West Germany after World War II. He held office from 1949 to 1963 and was a key figure in rebuilding the country during the Cold War. His leadership saw the establishment of a stable democracy in West Germany, promoting economic recovery through the "Economic Miracle" or Wirtschaftswunder, which led to significant growth and prosperity. Adenauer’s foreign policy was characterized by strong alignment with the West, particularly through NATO and the European Economic Community, helping to secure a place for West Germany in post-war Europe and reinforcing its ties with the United States.