Karl Arnold

Karl Arnold (March 21, 1901 – June 29, 1958) was a German politician. He was acting president of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, the first person to hold that office.

German reconstruction after World War II

After World War II, Arnold became politically active again. In 1945, he was co-founder of the local Christian-Democratic Party in Düsseldorf, which became part of the CDU later in 1945. Also in 1945, the Düsseldorf chapter of the united workers union was founded, presided by Arnold. On January 29, 1946, Arnold was named mayor of Düsseldorf and later elected in the first free elections (October 26, 1946).

Related Topics:
World War II - 1945 - CDU - January 29 - 1946 - October 26

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In December, 1946, Arnold became deputy minister president of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. From 1947 to 1950, he was the minister president with a coalition of CDU, Centre Party, SPD and (shortly) the communist party.

Related Topics:
North Rhine-Westphalia - 1947 - 1950

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On September 7, 1949 he was elected as the first president of the federal Bundesrat of Germany, becoming acting President of Germany until Theodor Heuss was elected five days later.

Related Topics:
September 7 - 1949 - Bundesrat of Germany - Theodor Heuss

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From 1950 to 1956, Arnold was elected minister president for North Rhine-Westphalia twice again, governing with the help of conservative parties and the Free Democrats. Important acts of his government were the foundation of the North Rhine-Westphalian broadcasting system (today: Westdeutscher Rundfunk) and the German system of workers union influence in steel and coal industries.

Related Topics:
1950 - 1956 - Westdeutscher Rundfunk

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On February 20, 1956 FDP switched coalition affiliation to the SPD, ending the Arnold government in North Rhine-Westphalia. Arnold became a leading member of the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia and in Germany.

Related Topics:
February 20 - 1956

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In 1957, he was elected in the German Bundestag (with a 72 % majority in his election district). He was member of the Bundestag until June 29, 1958, when he died of heart disfunction.

Related Topics:
1957 - June 29 - 1958

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