President Heinrich Lübke
President of the Federal Republic of Germany 1959-1969, German, 1894-1972
Volunteered and served in WWI. 1932 was elected to the Prussian Parliament as a member of the Roman Catholic Centre Party. After the National Socialist party took control of Germany, Lübke was imprisoned on charges that were never substantiated (improper use of funds). Although the charges were never proven, he remained imprisoned for twenty months.
After his release, he worked as a builder and contractor for government, military and housing developments during the remainder of the National Socialist reign and during WWII. He worked on large military projects such as the “air force test center”, etc. He remained out of politics during this time.
After WWII, Lübke re-entered politics, and was thought to be a founding member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). In 1953 Adenauer appointed Lübke to his cabinet as Federal Minister of Agriculture. He ran for President in 1959, under Adenauer’s encouragement.
Lübke was president of West Germany from 1959 – 1969. In 1966 accusations from opposing political parties started, having to do with building projects Lübke oversaw during the War. The DDR charged that Lübke knew slave Labor was being used on his building projects during the War. Even though these rumors were never substantiated, Lübke resigned from office in 1969.
After his release, he worked as a builder and contractor for government, military and housing developments during the remainder of the National Socialist reign and during WWII. He worked on large military projects such as the “air force test center”, etc. He remained out of politics during this time.
After WWII, Lübke re-entered politics, and was thought to be a founding member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). In 1953 Adenauer appointed Lübke to his cabinet as Federal Minister of Agriculture. He ran for President in 1959, under Adenauer’s encouragement.
Lübke was president of West Germany from 1959 – 1969. In 1966 accusations from opposing political parties started, having to do with building projects Lübke oversaw during the War. The DDR charged that Lübke knew slave Labor was being used on his building projects during the War. Even though these rumors were never substantiated, Lübke resigned from office in 1969.