The Legacy of West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
Learn about Helmut Schmidt's political career.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Helmut Schmidt was German chancellor from 1974 to 1982. Today, he is widely regarded as a national treasure.
ANTJE VOLLMER: "The reason his opinions are so cherished is primarily down to the fact that he's decisive and not afraid to speak his mind."
NARRATOR: Schmidt's trademark is tobacco, in all its form and on all occasions. A friend reflects on this.
HENRY KISSINGER: "Back then, of course, I didn't know that chain smoking and coca cola guzzling were the secrets to a long life."
NARRATOR: Helmut Schmidt always rejected narrow party interests, putting the good of the country first and foremost, something that also earned him the respect of his opponents.
RICHARD VON WEIZSÄCKER: "He really knew how to govern and that's not an easy thing to do. He was an example to us all."
NARRATOR: As chancellor, Helmut Schmidt many crises to deal with. In 1977, the left-wing extremists of the Red Army Faction, or RAF, were terrorizing Germany. Terrorist sympathizers hijacked a German plane. Schmidt wouldn't be blackmailed. The hostages were freed. A few days later, kidnapped business executive Hanns Martin Schleyer was murdered by terrorists. Schmidt was one of the first to warn of the dangers of an uncontrolled arms race. His actions gave rise to a peace movement, which also targeted nuclear power. As usual, Helmut Schmidt went his own way.
GERHARD SCHRÖDER: "I was always fascinated by his very - I don't want to call it authoritarian - his very self confident style."
NARRATOR: In 1982, Helmut Schmidt lost office to Helmut Kohl. Schmidt and his typically German temperament continued to shape German politics.
HELMUT SCHMIDT: "There was no outpouring of emotion. Everything was done in a calm, controlled manner."
NARRATOR: In autumn 2010, Schmidt's wife Loki died. Helmut Schmidt's dedication to politics never wavered. He might no longer be in office, but he is far from being out of service.
ANTJE VOLLMER: "The reason his opinions are so cherished is primarily down to the fact that he's decisive and not afraid to speak his mind."
NARRATOR: Schmidt's trademark is tobacco, in all its form and on all occasions. A friend reflects on this.
HENRY KISSINGER: "Back then, of course, I didn't know that chain smoking and coca cola guzzling were the secrets to a long life."
NARRATOR: Helmut Schmidt always rejected narrow party interests, putting the good of the country first and foremost, something that also earned him the respect of his opponents.
RICHARD VON WEIZSÄCKER: "He really knew how to govern and that's not an easy thing to do. He was an example to us all."
NARRATOR: As chancellor, Helmut Schmidt many crises to deal with. In 1977, the left-wing extremists of the Red Army Faction, or RAF, were terrorizing Germany. Terrorist sympathizers hijacked a German plane. Schmidt wouldn't be blackmailed. The hostages were freed. A few days later, kidnapped business executive Hanns Martin Schleyer was murdered by terrorists. Schmidt was one of the first to warn of the dangers of an uncontrolled arms race. His actions gave rise to a peace movement, which also targeted nuclear power. As usual, Helmut Schmidt went his own way.
GERHARD SCHRÖDER: "I was always fascinated by his very - I don't want to call it authoritarian - his very self confident style."
NARRATOR: In 1982, Helmut Schmidt lost office to Helmut Kohl. Schmidt and his typically German temperament continued to shape German politics.
HELMUT SCHMIDT: "There was no outpouring of emotion. Everything was done in a calm, controlled manner."
NARRATOR: In autumn 2010, Schmidt's wife Loki died. Helmut Schmidt's dedication to politics never wavered. He might no longer be in office, but he is far from being out of service.