Inspirational Quotes by Helmut Schmidt (West German Statesman)

Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015,) fully Helmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt, was a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD.) He served as chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) 1974 to 1982. He later was a co-publisher (1983–2015) of the influential weekly Die Zeit.

Born in a working-class district of Hamburg, he was a group leader in the Hitler Youth organization and won the Iron Cross for his service in the Wehrmacht in World War II. After the war, he studied economics at Hamburg University, and in 1947 became the first national chair of the Socialist Student Leagues. He had joined the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1946 and entered the Bundestag in 1953. While senator for domestic affairs in Hamburg in 1962, he won acclaim for his efficient handling of the Elba flood disaster.

Schmidt was SPD ‘floor leader’ 1967–69 in the Bundestag and served as minister of defense 1969–72. While he was minister of finance 1972–74, his financial policy consolidated the “Wirtschaffswunder” (“economic miracle,) giving Germany the most stable currency and economic position in the world. In 1974, he succeeded Willy Brandt as chancellor.

Schmidt established himself as an energetic international political leader, urging European cooperation and international economic coordination. He was re-elected chancellor in 1980 but was defeated in parliament in 1982 following the switch of allegiance by the SPD’s coalition allies, the Free Democratic Party.

Schmidt retired from federal politics at the general election of 1983, having encountered growing opposition from the SPD’s left-wing, who opposed his moderate stance on defense and economic issues. In 1986, he was a member of the original committee that supported the European monetary union and the founding of a European central bank.

Schmidt’s publications include Menchen und Miichte (1987; Men and Powers, 1989.)

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