In order to make a judgement on the contribution of Albert Speer to the history of Nazi Germany, and to international history, one must look into his role as Hitler 's architect and his role as Minister for Armaments. In order to better understand Speer, one must look into his background. Albert Speer the apolitical technocrat, was born in Mannheim, Germany on 19th March, 1905. He was the son of a wealthy and successful architect. While his family wealth provided Speer with numerous advantages in life, due to his parents busy lives and status, expressions of love and warmth from Speer’s parents, was almost non-existent, this coldness by his family would later shape Speer personality. In 1923 Albert Speer began his architectural studies at the
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Speer impressed the Nazi leadership and in 1933 Goebbels asked him to rebuild the Propaganda Ministry, and later design the decorations of the Nazi Rally at Nuremberg, he impressed Hitler and in July 1933, Hitler gave Speer the task of renovating the Chancellor’s residence. This began a close friendship between Hitler and Speer, that would eventually elevate him into various positions of power, such as Hitler’s Chief architect and Minister for Armaments, and it is through these positions that Speer would contribute to the history of Nazi Germany and to international history.
During his role as Hitler’s Chief Architect, Albert Speer would contribute to the history of Nazi Germany in a variety of ways. As an architect Speer prefered the Doric Greek style of architecture, and conceived the idea of ‘ruin value’ which Speer stated “ major buildings should be constructed in such a way they would leave aesthetically pleasing ruins for thousands of years into the future. Such ruins would be a testament to the greatness of Nazi Germany, just as ancient Greek or Roman ruins were symbols of the greatness of those …show more content…
In February 1942 Speer was appointed as Reich Minister for Armaments and Munitions, and Organisation Todt, after the suspicious death of Fritz Todt, despite having no experience with weaponry. As Minister for Armaments Speer’s had the technical and administrative skills and able to find solutions to the problems in war production. Speer saw the problems with war production and sought to fix them, he restructured the armaments industry and establish a new business structure for the entire industry, known as ‘Hauptausschuss und Ringe’ (Main Committees and Rings). Each committee represented a different type of weaponry and each ring represented various materials and parts. In addition he established the ‘Zentrale Planung’ (Central Planning Board) to coordinate armament production for the army, navy and airforce. Speer’s measures quickly bore results as within 6 months “armament production increased by 55 percent, and by May increased by a further 50 percent. Despite increased bombings by the Allies … Production of planes increased from 9500 to 34 300 … tank production to 17 300.” (Fest, op. cit, p. 308.) and could “Completely re-equip 130 infantry divisions and 40 armoured divisions.” (J. McMillan, Five Men at Nuremberg, Harrap, London, 1985, p.322.). As a result of Speer’s measures, this allowed Germany to continued fighting for an
Speer impressed the Nazi leadership and in 1933 Goebbels asked him to rebuild the Propaganda Ministry, and later design the decorations of the Nazi Rally at Nuremberg, he impressed Hitler and in July 1933, Hitler gave Speer the task of renovating the Chancellor’s residence. This began a close friendship between Hitler and Speer, that would eventually elevate him into various positions of power, such as Hitler’s Chief architect and Minister for Armaments, and it is through these positions that Speer would contribute to the history of Nazi Germany and to international history.
During his role as Hitler’s Chief Architect, Albert Speer would contribute to the history of Nazi Germany in a variety of ways. As an architect Speer prefered the Doric Greek style of architecture, and conceived the idea of ‘ruin value’ which Speer stated “ major buildings should be constructed in such a way they would leave aesthetically pleasing ruins for thousands of years into the future. Such ruins would be a testament to the greatness of Nazi Germany, just as ancient Greek or Roman ruins were symbols of the greatness of those …show more content…
In February 1942 Speer was appointed as Reich Minister for Armaments and Munitions, and Organisation Todt, after the suspicious death of Fritz Todt, despite having no experience with weaponry. As Minister for Armaments Speer’s had the technical and administrative skills and able to find solutions to the problems in war production. Speer saw the problems with war production and sought to fix them, he restructured the armaments industry and establish a new business structure for the entire industry, known as ‘Hauptausschuss und Ringe’ (Main Committees and Rings). Each committee represented a different type of weaponry and each ring represented various materials and parts. In addition he established the ‘Zentrale Planung’ (Central Planning Board) to coordinate armament production for the army, navy and airforce. Speer’s measures quickly bore results as within 6 months “armament production increased by 55 percent, and by May increased by a further 50 percent. Despite increased bombings by the Allies … Production of planes increased from 9500 to 34 300 … tank production to 17 300.” (Fest, op. cit, p. 308.) and could “Completely re-equip 130 infantry divisions and 40 armoured divisions.” (J. McMillan, Five Men at Nuremberg, Harrap, London, 1985, p.322.). As a result of Speer’s measures, this allowed Germany to continued fighting for an