What role did reconciliation within Germany and with France

Germany Relations with France under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer
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Germany Relations with France under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer
Introduction
Germany has a historical role in Europe as the leading country in the region. However, the changing world brought an evolution that changed the way Germany relates to Europe and other countries around the world. In the last few decades, the world has witnessed a transition from the Cold War's bipolarity to a global predominance of the U.S. and its allies. Furthermore, there has been an upsurge of interdependence and geopolitically competitive order. These developments have also driven a more robust engagement of Germany in international affairs in a manner that possess new challenges for herself and its allies. Since its founding in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany opted for national interests that have harmonized its functions with those of regional and international organizations. Germany and France had cultural, economic, and political exchanges that had existed throughout the history of Europe. However, after the emergence of the French Revolution, a new and modern way of Franco-German relationship. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the relationship between Germany and France under the leadership of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. 
Overview of Franco-German Relations 
Since World War II, the historical coexistence of France and Germany has been termed as one of the world's perfect examples of a reconciliatory agreement between two archenemies. After World War II, there was a significant turning point in the bilateral relationship between these two countries. Furthermore, it ended an era that had kicked off after the French Revolution, which was marked by three significant events. The dissolution of the German Holy Roman Empire in 1806 to the French defeat in 1871 and finally the World Wars. Therefore, the second half of the 20th century was marked by extraordinary cooperation between Germany and France. The relationship between France and the Western Federal Republic of Germany is one of the most critical issues for European peace after the 2nd World War. Several political forces clashed over the redefinition of the relations after four and half years of Germany occupation in France. Some of the external forces included the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain, whose interests on Franco-German relations were highly influenced by the Marshall Plan. Furthermore, specific internal factors played a role in preventing the risks of renewed competition between Bonn and Paris. [Rosoux, Valerie Barbara. "National identity in France and Germany: From mutual exclusion to negotiation." Pg 178] [Siegel, Mona, and Kirsten Harjes. "Disarming Hatred: History Education, National Memories, and Franco-German Reconciliation from World War I to the Cold War."  Pg 342]
From a political perspective, the division of Germany risked the possibility of the reemergence of Germany hegemony in the central parts of Europe. However, from the societal perspective, the experiences of the two wars and the lesson learned after the WW1 prevented reemergence of another war. Both Germany and France were cautious not to begin another conflict was the priority, which could only be prevented by a new and redefined relationship. Therefore, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and the French Foreign Affairs minister Robert Schuman played a leading role towards such peaceful political coexistence. The two leaders were very optimistic in uniting France and Germany towards a common goal. Some of the landmark efforts towards this unity were the establishment of The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951. The declaration illustrated one of the most critical influences of the critical decision-making process of a new bilateral relationship between the two countries. [Rosoux, Valerie Barbara. "National identity in France and Germany: From mutual exclusion to negotiation." Pg 180]
Germany under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer
The government that emerged in 1949 was formed by the first German Federal Republic's election. A coalition was formed between the Free Democrats and the Christian Democrats. In this election, Konrad Adenauer of the Christian Democratic Union was elected as the first German Chancellor. Due to his advanced age of 73 years, Konrad was expected by many Germans to serve as an interim Chancellor, but he went on to hold the office for fourteen years. Under his leadership, Germany recovered economically with a rapid industrial output. Furthermore, his government abolished all rationing, and the living standards began to rise. One of the urgent problems Konrad solved was the resettling of refugees who had suffered the aftermath of World War II. However, the standards of living in East Germany were considerably lower compared to West Germany, which led to mass movement from East Germany to West Germany. Despite these internal pressures. Konrad was optimistic about linking Germany with other European countries. France and Poland were among his immediate neighbors, which he needed to coexist with for a progressive economic growth for struggling Germany.[Maes, Ivo. "On the origins of the Franco-German EMU controversies." ] [Siegel, Mona, and Kirsten Harjes. "Disarming Hatred: History Education, National Memories, and Franco-German Reconciliation from World War I to the Cold War." Pg 354 ]
Konrad's Reconciliation with France 
Despite cultural and economic differences, Chancellor Konrad was hopeful of reaching a political reconciliation with France. After a series of meetings with the French government's officials, Konrad described Franco-German new approach as follows; 
'The extraordinary characteristic of this agreement lies in the fact that the broad sections of both countries' citizens seized upon the idea and supported their respective governments' efforts.'
Therefore, there was considerable public support from both parties towards reconciliation was far from being reached after the effects of the Second World War, especially in France. In 1946, only 6% of French citizens were sympathetic towards their German counterparts, and 63% still believed Germany was still destined to become an aggressive nation in Europe. Additionally, 69% of Germans backed up Konrad's administration to build a good relationship with France. By 1951, 75% of them backed up Konrad towards building a positive relationship between them and Germany. Although the public was very optimistic in the building of a long-lasting relationship between these two countries, the burden laid on the leadership of the two countries. [Maes, Ivo. "On the origins of the Franco-German EMU controversies." ] [Rosoux, Valerie Barbara. "National identity in France and Germany: From mutual exclusion to negotiation." Pg 183]
Konrad and De Guelle Friendly Relationship
The creation of the Fifth Republic of France in 1958 and the role of the new French president, the Franco-German relations evolved to be even more personal. Furthermore, the relationship between German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and the new French president symbolized a different era between the two countries. The political analyst described the relationship as 'Franco-German couples' to represent the new relationship between the two countries. Germany and France had to come up with a strategy to renew this, 'marriage of convenience' despite the differing political and public opinion. Therefore, both countries opted to use heavy symbolism that was used by leaders in both countries. For instance, the idea of 'duet' of peace and reconciliation of European nations was strongly reinforced in these two countries. 
However, the unique feature of this Franco-German reconciliation lies in the fact that it still took place despite many social-political differences that existed between these two countries. Even the leaders of these two countries showed these differences in public. At one time, French President Charles de Gaulle referred to it as the 'Franco-German Fact, ' det...