Erhard, << EHR hahrt, >> Ludwig (1897-1977), served as chancellor of West Germany from 1963 to 1966. He was chosen by the Christian Democratic Union to succeed Konrad Adenauer. Erhard had served as an official of the West German Republic from its formation in 1949. Erhard was credited with creating the program that returned West Germany to economic stability and prosperity after World War II (1939-1945).
Erhard’s career as an economist began in 1928 when be taught at the Institute of Economic Studies in Nuremberg. He directed the institute from 1930 until 1942, when the Nazis forced him out. Erhard became an adviser on economic affairs and operated a private market research service from 1942 to 1945.
After the war, Erhard was appointed commissioner of economic affairs in the state of Bavaria. He planned currency reforms that later helped stabilize the West German economy. He was elected to the West German Bundestag (parliament) in 1949 and served as economics minister in several of West Germany’s postwar cabinets. He was vice-chancellor from 1957 until 1963, when he became chancellor. In 1965, Erhard headed a coalition government of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats. In 1966, as a result of increasing taxes and other issues, the Christian Democrats forced him to resign.
Erhard, the son of a shop owner, was born in Furth. He attended Nuremberg’s Commercial College and earned doctor’s degrees in economics and political science at the university in Frankfurt.
