Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kießling emphasizes that an examination of the German Empire and the Weimar Republic is essential for a deeper understanding of Adenauer's life. Throughout his lifetime, Adenauer experienced three distinct political systems, drawing specific lessons from each. According to Kießling, as Lord Mayor of Cologne, Adenauer was an innovative and progressive politician who spearheaded numerous major projects.
Adenauer gained extensive political experience during the Weimar Republic, from which he derived several key insights. For instance, his fundamental aversion to parliaments originated during this period. Furthermore, as noted by Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kießling, Adenauer considered it indispensable for a democrat not to remain confined within a single political camp. Consequently, shortly after its founding, he became a member of the CDU, which united Christian politicians and bridged partisan divides.
The experiences of violence during the final phase of the Weimar Republic also significantly shaped Adenauer. According to Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kießling, this accounts for Adenauer's fearlessness in confrontations with political opponents. Finally, Kießling observes a transformation in Adenauer's understanding of democracy: prior to the National Socialist era, he did not base his democratic convictions on individual rights and freedoms; however, this changed following the collapse of the regime.