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Walter Hallstein facts for kids

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Walter Hallstein
Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F004665-0003, Walter Hallstein.jpg
President of the European Commission
In office
7 January 1958 – 30 June 1967
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Jean Rey
Personal details
Born (1901-11-17)17 November 1901
Mainz, German Empire
Died 29 March 1982(1982-03-29) (aged 80)
Stuttgart, West Germany
Political party Christian Democratic Union
Alma mater Friedrich Wilhelm University

Walter Hallstein (1901 -1982) was a German academic, diplomat, and politician. He was the first president of the Commission of the European Economic Community. He was one of the founding fathers of the European Union.

Hallstein is also the person behind the Hallstein Doctrine, wich the former state of West Germany proclaimed in 1955. It meant that West Germany wouldn't have diplomatic relations with countries that recognized East Germany.


Images for kids

  • German prisoners of war escorted by American soldiers in Cherbourg in 1944.

    Hallstein was taken prisoner by American troops in Cherbourg in 1944

  • Landscape picture of the Palais Schaumburg

    The Palais Schaumburg (1950), seat of the Federal Chancellery in 1950, where Hallstein worked before the German Foreign Office was formed

  • Landscape photograph of the 1955 German Foreign Office building, with trees in the foreground

    1955 German Foreign Office building

  • Walter Hallstein sitting with Konrad Adenauer in the Bundestag; Karl Mommer speaking

    Second reading of the Paris Treaties in the Bundestag on 25 February 1955

  • Portrait photograph of Heinrich von Brentano

    After Heinrich von Brentano was appointed Foreign Minister, Walter Hallstein retained his very influential status at the Foreign Office.

  • Portrait photograph of Ludwig Erhard.

    Economics minister Ludwig Erhard had opposing views on the path of European integration.

  • Walter Hallstein sitting between Konrad Adenauer and Antonio Segni

    Konrad Adenauer, Walter Hallstein and Antonio Segni, signing the European Customs Union and Euratom in 1957 in Rome

  • Portrait photograph of Harold Macmillam

    In 1961, the British government under Prime Minister Harold Macmillan applied to join the EEC.

  • Portrait photograph of Edward Heath 1966

    Edward Heath led Britain's application to join the EEC. He shared Halltein's private nature and interest in music.

  • Golda Meir and President of EEC Walter Hallstein 1964

    Hallstein with Israel's Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1964

  • Portrait photograph of Charles de Gaulle

    As President of the Commission of the EEC, Hallstein had a major confrontation with french president Charles de Gaulle that resulted in Hallstein's leaving the position.

  • Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F028459-0019, Robert-Schuman-Preis, Verleihung an Walter Hallstein

    Hallstein in 1969, accepting the Robert Schuman Prize.

  • Walter Hallstein on stage, shaking hands while receiving prize

    Accepting the Robert Schuman Prize in Bonn, February 1969

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