Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Speer
1,942 +
Historiography
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Chapter 9:
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General advice
. It is. a good idea for students to do the personality as their third question:
. The World War I questions (Questions I, 2 and 3) should be attempted first. Students have
five minutes reading time before the examination and this time is best spent reading the
sources, This means they will be ready to immediately tackle the Core questions.
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. The 20th century study question is best done next. Students will still be fresh and ready to
. Thus, it requires 45 minutes, the same as the other questions on the paper,
. The personality question is generic, ie the question is the same for all27 personalities.
. The question has two parts and BOTH parts of the question must be answered.
. Each part of the question should be answered separately. Do not start part (b) on the same
. Students should not spend more than I8 minutes on this part; in fact 1.5-16 minutes will
probably be enough time to answer this part.
Part (a) questions require simple descriptive, narrative responses. Questions for this part will often
be worded as follows:
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CHAPTER 9 . Responding to questions on the HSC
IF
Therefore Part (a) responses should have the following features:
. There should be copious factual detail.
. There does not need to be an argument because students are not being asked to analyse in this
question; they are simply being asked to describe or narrate.
IF
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. There is no need for historiography. Students will obviously not lose marks if it is included but
the descriptive/ narrative nature of the part (a) question means that students will be better served
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Students should avoid making some of the following common errors often present in HSC
responses to the part (a) question.
I . Identify clearly what the question is asking. If a question is asking for a description of the role
played by the personality in the national history of his/ her country, students must make sure
they focus their information on what the question is asking;
a. do not waste time with lengthy descriptions of Speer's family life, his relationship with his
parents and his marriage to Margret Weber;
b. do not spend ages describing his love of mathematics and his father's opposition to his son
pursuing this field of study;
fir
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arise:
a. should students stop at the point just before he really makes his name with the Nazis?
b. should they stop at the point he has become Armaments Minister?
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d. the syllabus takes rise to prominence' to mean Speer's work as Armaments Minister so
students should go this far and include detail from this period of Speer's life,
4. Students should avoid falling into the trap of getting carried away with lengthy descriptions of
'pet interests':
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b. a detailed page and a half account of Speer's work on the new Reich Chancellery is similarly
unlikely to be required.
. Students should spend at least 27 minutes on this part; if part (a) has been answered in I5-16
minutes, students can spend up to 30 minutes on this part.
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SECTION 4 . A1bert Speer and the HSC
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Part (b) questions require complex, anal^ICai responses. Questions for this part will often be
worded as follows:
Part (by questions may well be preceded by a quotation. Students will then b k d
the
idea(s) contained within the quotation as they affect their personalit . Q t t' f
might be similar to these:
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. "People shape the events of their time more than the events h th "
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Questions that follow quotations like these might be in the form of:
. In the light of this statement, assess the impact of the ers I't "
. How accurate is this statement as it applies to the personality you have studied?"
. "To what extent does this statement accurately reflect your personality?"
b.
students must avoid jumping in with a prepared response of the kind "D'd S
about the concentration camps?" - the quotation in a not want th'
c. This does not mean that students must be mention in the uotat' f
2, Students do not have to agree with the idea contained within th
permissible to challenge it
It is quite
a. however, this does not mean students reject the quotation in the ' t d
their own response;
b.
any refutation must be in terms of the ideas in the quotation; havin d th' ,
C.
the normal "to what extent" rules apply - students must make sure at I t 50-6 O
response is dealing with the quotation, even if it is to ar ue a ainst 't.
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3. Quotation or no quotation, students must understand that part (b) questions require analysis; an
argument has to be presented and developed. Part (b) responses are, in effect, mini-essays,
and so the normal rules of essay-writing therefore apply :
a. there must be an introduction in which the argument is presented;
b. the argument must be developed throughout the answer;
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e. there should be a topic sentence(s) to show the marker what the paragraph is going to say;
then comes the evidence to back this up;
f. students should ensure that there are links between paragraphs so that the response flows
rather than become a series of disconnected paragraphs;
g. there must be a concluding paragraph to sum up the argument.
Do students have to include the views of specific historians in part (b) responses? The syllabus
page on A1bert Speer says nothing about the views of historians. However, one of the outcomes
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IF
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H3.4 explain and evaluate differing perspectives and interpretations of the past
Students are therefore strongly advised to make sure that the views of historians are included in a
. It is a waste of time throwing in the names of twenty three historians and dropping names every
third line:
. Dropping historians' names all over a response prevents the flow of the argument.
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. Historians' views should only be used to support the ideas being presented by the student.
. A student might develop a line of argument, support this with factual detail and then choose to
support it further with historiogrpahical evidence.
IF
. In other words, the historians are there to support the ideas of the student, not to become the
. The only exception to this is if a response is based on a historiographical debate which is not
advised for a part (b) response.
. How many historians should be mentioned? As a rule, the fewer the better. A few detailed,
accurate, relevant references will strengthen a response; twenty three references can make a
response look rather ridiculous. 2
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Finally, should students quote directly? Learning piles of quotations is a waste of time; it merely
shows you can remember quotes. It is much better if students 'paraphrase' what a historian is
saying and therefore show the marker that they 'understand' what the historian is saying. Short,
pithy quotes of a few words can be effective but lengthy quotations - even if they are accurate merely serve to hinder the flow of an argument.
I Stage 6 SIIabus Modern History. Board of Studies, Sydney, 2004, p38
2 These are Ihe author^ personal views gained from many years of HSC marking. Different Ieachers have different ideas and students should discuss all
of these issues with their teachers
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A1bert Speer
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Significance
Date
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April
July
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September
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1936
ian
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Jan
Jan
April
August
1940 Mar
June
French signed
an
armistice. Construction
7 Feb
1.3 Feb
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Mar
1943
September
6 Oct
Feb
April
September
,. 945 March
23 April
1983
and a. 990s
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1995
1,997
A1bert Speer:
Architecture representing Nazi Ideals
Fuhrer Prinzip
Nuremberg Rally Site
Reich Chancellory - magnitude empathise Hitler's importance
'Triumph of Will' - provided technology needed to make film and his work features in her film
Monumental ism
Paris remained after WWII - A staggering Victory Arch was to be erected on the model of the Arc d' Triumph in
Paris but bigger.
Symbolism
Nuremberg - 1.0 storey high flags and Gold Eagle
1000 Year Reich
Jewish Flats
Slave labour
Economic
Use of stone
Militarism
Armaments
Germany government post WW2 demolished remaining Speer's buildings - link to Nazis
Architectural Megalomaniac
Technocrat
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";Aichit^dural' Mega16fiidi11ab',"^vtdej^;ai':\\*;;.!'
Technocrat -'Evidence
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I. Historical Context
295
Born in Maimheim.
1927
Qualified as an architect.
March: Joined the Nazi Party.
May: Redesigiied Goebbels' office.
Placed in charge of Beauty of Labour
1931
1933
1934
movement.
1934
1937
a death sentence.
2. Background
A1bert Speer was born into an upper middle class family
in 1905. After qualifying as an architect in 1927, his
career did not take off as he had hoped. Finding it
difficult to get architectural work on his own, he ended
up working for his father. Thus, while Speer did not
experience material hardship like so Inariy other
Gennans in the 1920s and early 1930s, as a young man
he was probably frustrated with his lack of professional
achievement.
3. Rise to Prominence
Soon after hearing Hitler speak at a meeting in Berlin,
Speer joined the Nazi Party in March 1931. And in
contrast to his previous lack of professional
advancement, Speer was soon appointed to a succession
of increasingly more important positions within the
Nazi Party and Nazi regime after Hitler came to power
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1942
1943
1943
1969
1981
1990s
Third Reich.
It,
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Hitler's Reich Chancellery in less than twelve months, Hitler provided undreami of opportunities in
So shocked was Hitler when he discovered what was organisations when he visited theirfactories: near Line
happening that, in order to rectify the situation, he gave in Austria in March 1943; at Nodiausen in the Han
Speer the type of backing that Do other leading Nazi Mountainsin Central Gennanyin December I943; and
The key positions Speer held were those of (a) General and in the process became what he describes as the
Building Inspector fortheNationalCapital(GBD from ' closest thing to a personal friend Hitler had
had ever received. For his part, Speer lacked any at Landsberg in Bavaria in February 1945. Following
detailed knowledge of the amiamenis industry but he the first visit he complained about the 'luxurious'
was a very talented organiser, ever ready to recruit accommodation he saw and went on to recommend
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experts, listen 10theirrecommendaiions and to delegate that savings could be made by using cheaper building
authority. Consequently. the influence of the inilitsry materials. On one occasion he was so appalled that he
was replaced by that of industrialists, who Ihen did intervene to improve the living conditions of the
positions, Sneer had considerable power at his disposal. Hitler's long-standing interest in arebitecture produced
The crucial question is, how did he use that power? jin him a desire 10 rebuild German cities, in particular
According to Speer, he conducted himself in an Berlin, on a grand scale and in a manner that would
extremely efficient and - by any obieciive standards - endure a thousand years, To this end, Speer's
highly professional fashion. Indeed there are solid suggestion that the main construction material be
grounds 'for agreeing with the claim he made in his nanaral stone was adopted. The particularresponsibility
achieved the desired eruciencies. In general, they did inmates - in order that production could be increased
this by limiting production as much aspossibleto those
weapons models best suited to mass production, and Speer always maintained he had rin knowledge of the
concentrating their production in the most efficient Holocaust. However, from line text or a speech
last memo to Hitler that 'without my work the war for the redevelopment of Berlin was given to SpeeT. In
order to secure row materials such as stone, a Europeanwould perhaps have been lost in 1942/43'.
wide network of quarry sites was established overthe
factories. Construction of the Me 109 fightsr aircraft, delivered at Posen on 6 October 1943 by SS chier
for example, was concenimted in three factories rather He innch Himinlet it appears that Speer was in the
than the previous seven, and monthly production audience when a lengthy explanation was given for
On the other hand, Speer's ministry was also implicated next eiglit years. This involved a pomership with the
increased from 180 to 1000. Overall, between 1942 the on-going extennination of the Jews
armaments industry increased by more than 100 In 1946. during his NUTembern. trial, when it seemed
percent. (Butaner January 1945 production plummeted certain he would he found guilty and executed, Speer
guilty at the Nuremberg inals in 1946 and sentenced inmates. In 1942 the GBlorganisation also constructed
to twenty years imprisonment. Since then, however, a large reception camp on the outskirts of Berlin
.more information has been uncovered raising Ihe capable of processing up to 1500 conscriptsd workers
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possibility that Speer's crimes against humanity were per day from Eastern Earope.
Hitler's personal support. Again in IF, side file naild numerous design changes. Forexample, production or
Reich. Speer offers a clue to his commitment to Hitler: the Junkers Ju 88 bomber was slowed by recoinmended
My position as Hitler's architect soon became modifications 10 the original design which, by late
indispensable 10 me. Not yet 111irty, I saw before me I 942, numbered 18,000.
tile niOSi exciting prospects an axiliteci can dream of
with poison gas. What were his motives? Perhaps it was bear responsibility for them. ..
purely for the good of Germany: so that, after niiljinry
defeat, 11is nation still Ichined some infrastructure that This admission of gum by association \\, as sufficient
would be needed to begin a recovery, OJ. perhaps, he 10 enable 11imio escape the hangman. But ho\\. genuine
was cunning Iy distancing himself from Ihe regimc in was Speer in admitting to his 'share in responsibility'
111e hope that Ile could play an imporkin! role in post- but not actual jinolveii:eniin criii, es ariainst humanity?
could Inove lowards economic recovery. .. h must as Minister for Annaments and Muniiions. He bolstered
nave been during these moriihs Ithat my mother saw Germany's defence to such an extent that the war
architect became a \\, elcome member of the Nazi weapons of the highest possible quality. To achieve
leader's dose circle of acquaintances. And nothing what they wanted, military officers continually
ensured advancement in Nazi Germany more Ihan inIerfered in Ihe manufacturing process, demanding
Despite the enormous danger involved, Speer set about nation and Ihe world. As an important member of
on 111e way, could be checked, Hitler persuaded us, In the last three years of the war, SPCer made a minor
and instead of IIOPeless unemploymeni, Gentiany contribution to Germany's mintory effort in his capacity
Hitler caprured11isimanination. Given Hitler's artistic/ actually declined by 24 percent. Mass production was
architecturel pretensions, it is no surpriseihaiihe young noi a priority - rather, the military authorities demanded
openly couniennanding \\, harm referred to a colleague the leadership of the Reich I therefore share in the
as being 'these insane plans or desiruciion'. Apparently,
genemliesponsibilicy from 1942 onwards ... Irisolbr
In the first two years of the \\, ar, output per \\. orkerliad
It was Hitler who inspired this 'scorched earth' policy. 11as escaped his responsibility before the German
an SA parade in the streets of Heidelberg. The sighi probably lasted at least two years longer than would
of discipline in a lime of universal chaos. the otherwise have been the case. Before Hiller's
impression of energyin an atmosphere uruniversal appointment of Speer to oversee the war economy,
hopelessness, seems to have won her over also. production of weapons 11ad been extremely inemcieni
Gehnans to ensure Ihat the approaching enemy found misfortune, including 10 the Gennan nation. I have
'every footbridge destroyed, every road blocked - this duly all the more because the head of
Unlike millions of o111ers, Speerjoined the Nazi Party process, -Speerordered the eviction oftens of thousands
before Hitler came 10 power. This suggests he was of inhabitants from apartments in the inner city, of
aciing out of conviction rather than simply jumping whom 75 000 were Jews according to records compiled
on the bandwagon. While he claims riot to have been by Speer's own organization. Whilst at the time the
'poliiical'. it is clear he was attracted to Hitler. This fate of these Jews was of ino concern to him, after the
explanation, given in his memoirs Inside Ihe Third war Speer made Era"Iic efforts to suppress this
Reich. gives an insight into why so many middle class information, and it did not become widely known until
Gennans voted for Hitler:
RESOURCES
Fest. J.
Frappe;. S
Van der Vat. D. 71, " tilt, fir, d Lic$ 44the, ',.$11eeJ
me GadN, ,=i. London, Phoenix. 1997
\'ideo/Film
Describe A1bert Speer's role in the Nazi Party from 1931 to 1945,
Overview:
This report will give a backg'ound to A1bert Speer, including his introduction to his career. It
will then outline the role of A1bert Speer as Hitter's friend and confidante within his inner circle.
Furthermore it will describe his role as Hitler's architect in the Nazi Party, and following this it will
convey facts regarding his role in the Nazi Party as the Minister of Armaments.
Introduction to Career
rubert Speer was born on the 19th of March, 1905in Mannheim, the son of an architect.
Speer studied at schools in Karlsruhe, Munich and Berlin and following this he sought to acquire his
architectural license which he obtained in 1927.
Following this Speer was witness to one of Hitler's speeches at the student rallies in Berlin in
December 1930, and became "captured by the magic of Hitter's voice". This inspired him to join the
socialists three months later.
Speer was asked by Josef Goebbels to redesign his official residence in 1932, which he did
efficiency and skin, impressing Hitler, This was the beginning of a long, active relationship between
Hitler and Speer.
A1bert Speer in Hitter's Inner Circle
Through close contact and work relations, Speer and Hitler quickly developed trust within
their relationship, which led to Speer's introduction to Hitler's inner circle. This inner circle consisted
of Hitler's close friends which acted as advisors towards him. Hitler's trust of Speer is supported by
the fact that Speer was petrixitted to enter Berkoff with his wife Margarete Weber. This emphasised
the relationship that Hitler and Speer shared as this was a privileged activity and serves to
demonstrate Speer's close contact with the leader of the Nazi Party.
A1bert Speer as Hitler's Architect
Speer was held in higli regard by Hitler, and it was this respect that led Hitler to give Speer
the task of designng the Noremberg rally sites for May 1st, 1933. Hitler hintselfwas an enthusiastic
architect but he lacked the skills of architectural action which became the role of Speer. He surpassed
Hitler's expectations which impressed Hitler.
in January 1934, Paul Ludwig Troost, Hitler's architect, died and was replaced only six hours
following his death by Speer hilliself. A1bert Speer then became the first architect to the Fuher. This
marked the beginning of Speer's active involvement in the Nazi Party.
the construction of the Reich's capital, which meant that he was a part of the department that was
responsible for evictions of the Jewish in 1939.
1938 Trunked Speer's debut as an active yet silent participant in the violence carried out by the
Nazi Party against Jews. This was due to the intense racism of the Party and Hitler's aspirations to
build an entirely new chancellery (Gennania). In order to achieve this, Speer was given unlinxited
financial assistance and was periliitted and supported in demolishing 52 000 flats and renting 23 000
of these Jewish flats the Aryan people of Gentruiy,
in 1941 Speer was selected as a representative of the electoral district of Berlin West, thus
increasing his decision junking power within the Nazi Party. It was also in this year the deportation of
Jewish people from Gennany began.
Speer conducted his architectural duties througli the Fuller and his support, providing new
premises for the Nazi Party, as Hitler's riglit hand man.
A1bert Speer as nunister of Armaments
On the 7th of February, 1942, Fritz Todt, the Minister of Armaments, was killed in a plane
crash and Speer was appointed by Hitler himself as the succeeding Minister.
Under his new title, Speer was given ''itee reign" over his district with the goal of
reorganising armaments productions. He immediately demanded the increase of armaments
production and this was accomplished through the use of concentration camp labour. Speer had
indirect control of the Gennan economy and his dedication to war efforts was vast. As a result,
armaments production had doubled by 1942 and continued to rise tiltougliout Speer's control of this
area of the economy.
in September 1943 Speer was rewarded for his efforts with the Fritz Todt ring of honour for
his work.
Speer continued his work for the Nazi Party as Minister of Aimaments and in 1944 he
created a series of underground factories, which were 20 kiri in length and he used 600 000 slaves to
carry out further demands of the war effort. These slaves worked 13 hour days and one in three of
them died partly as a result of their hard labour ordered by Speer.
It was also in this year that Speer was asked to declare his part in the 'final solution' scheme
executed by the Nazi Party, He denied any kilowledge of this policy.
Himaler stated to the 'Observer', a British newspaper, that "in him is the epitome of the
managerial revolution". This is useful to show that Speer's part in the Nazi Party was to act based on
the wishes of Hitler hintself. Speer fellill in this year and was moved to the countryside where Hitler
sent him the best doctors in the country,
in May 1944 Speer returned to work and immediately pleaded for the completion of the war.
Speer appeared to be unaware that his armaments production efficiency had delayed the end of the
war by approximately two years, Hitler developed his ' ' scorched earth" policy which Speer disagreed
with and future disagi. Gements such as this eventuated in severe deterioration of the relationship
between A1bert Speer and Hitler.
Therefore, as the Minister of Armaments within the Nazi totalitarian regime, Speer was
effectiveIy in control of the Gennari economy.
Historians learn from Speer's own evidence that Speer planned an assassination of Hitler in
April, 1945, which failed. Speer was arrested after the conclusion of the war and was transferred to
NUTemberg where he was to be held until a court trial. He was later charged and sent to the 'BGrlin
Spandau' for 20 years,
For example, Hugl:I R. Trevor argues that Speer "ignored the political implications of the
regime and served with absolute loyalty the Teal CTiriinial of the Nazi regime [Hitler]". This suggests
an almost puppet-like role in the early years of Speer's service. Hemy King, a prosecutor at
Noremberg states that "From 1942 to 1945 not only was he one of the men closest to Hitler, but he
was also one who influenced Hitler's decisions. ..". King's statement shows that Speer's role was as
Hitler's advisor.
Conclusion:
Throughout the period of 1931 - 1945 A1bert Speer acted within the Nazi Party as Hitler's
puppet - the man who carried out Hitler's ideas. He was also Hitler's personal architect and the
Minister of Armaments and War Production where he was effectiveIy controlling the German
economy.
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It has already been noted that luck played a significant role in the career of A1beit Speer. Luck
entered his life again in a macabre way with the death of Hitler's leading architect, Paul Troost in
March 1934. Speer now stepped into this role at the tender age of twenty nine. Hitler's fascination
with architecture and Speer's talents in this area combined to bring Speer and Hitler closer and
closer. Speer said at his trial at Nuremberg in I 946 that had Hitler had any close friends, he would
have been one of them. Speer'SI relationship with Hitler will be dealt with in more detail in Chapter 6.
Rallies and ruins
Speer had already proven his ability to organise impressive events with the I May Tempelhof
display and the 'Day of Victory' party rally in 1933. His efforts for the party rally in Nuremberg in
1934 were to far surpass his achievements of the previous year. Speer's ideas would forever be
immortalised in Leni Riefenstahl's film masterpiece of the rally 'Triumph of the Will".
. Speer's most memorable creation was the 'cathedral of light' effect using 130 anti-aircraft
. Speer put on an amazing show with his organisation of mass displays in Zeppelin field and its
thirty four flag platforms. The pseudo-religious ' Blood Flag' scene in which Hitler, SS leader
Himin Ier and SA leader Lutze walked in silence through the massed ranks, was Speer's idea.
. The use of massed flags and night time rallies were also Speer\s ideas, He claimed it hid the
embarrassing sight of so many 13avarian beer bellies amongst Hitler's supporters - not good for
the youthful party image.
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. Riefenstahl had to refilm some rally scenes after the completion of the rally. Speer relates the
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amusing story of Julius Streicher and other Nazi luminaries pacing up and down trying to learn
their lines. '
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In his memoirs, Speer made a rare reference to his private life during this period of his career.
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foe confesses thaO he neglected his I^tinily, at this period for the sake of hi^ work, which left him too
tired at the end of a long day to devote any energy to GrateI and the baby'
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Rallies were spectacular, exciting and provided great propaganda. However, a party rally, ino matter
how dramatic, was transitory. Speer understood that Hitler wanted something that was going to
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last, in the way that the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Romans had a lasting legacy. Hitler
envied Mussolini his collection of Roman monuments which could be used to inspire his people to
a great future. He wanted his Germany to achieve what the Romans had achieved :
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Our architectural works should also speak to the conscience of a future Germany centuries from
now. In advancing this argument Hitler also stressed the value of a permanent type of
construction. 3
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I Span, A, Irisde the Third Ra'of I, Phoenix, London, 1995 edition. PIO5
2 Van der Vat. D, The Good Nazi: The Life and Ues of Abert Sneer, Honghtori Mirin Company. New York. 1997. p65
3 Speer. p97
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Whenever Hitler was shown architectural drafts or models by his architects, he invariably rejected
them and demanded revisions. However, he rarely behaved like this with Speer. Speer always felt
that in architectural matters, Hitler always treated him as an equal. When in 1934. Speer showed
Hitler his model for the permanent site for all future party rallies in Nuremberg, it was accepted
immediately. 'Speer^s gtand vision in these matters always seemed to match the megalomaniacal
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hopes of Hitler.
The Nuremberg site was to be a massive complex, including a stt^Iium capable of holding 400 000
people-and massive areas formilitary exercises. A budget of 80.0 million marks was -allocated. The
, project-was to be finished by 1945 but in the-end only a-few fragmented buildings had been
completed. Speer's design -showed that he had finally deserted the simplicity of his earlier mentor,
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Tessenow, and had fully adopted the -classicism of the late Troost.
eal to
to Hitler's
Hitler'sneed
needfor
foran
anarchitectural
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eer' went
one sta
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To appeal
Speer'
went'one
stage
further.
. He showed Hitler designs of what the buildings would look like as ruins, covered in Iw, . hundreds
of years into the future.
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. Speer was at first berated by other Nazi leaders because his designs implied that Nazism would
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. Speer referred to this notion of lasting monuments as "the theory of ruins". A building was of
value if its ruins lasted into the future. For this reason, materials had to be used which would
predate the modern age as it was believed that' modern materials would not last.
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Hitler'S principal architectural dream involved his hoped for rebuilding of the city of Berlin. Hitler's
future empire needed a capital that would rival and surpass cities such as Paris and Vienna. His
obsession with this idea can be judged by the fact that even during the war when Berlin was under
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attack, Hitler still insisted on continuing with the project. Even when the Russian campaign was
showing signs of lagging behind, Hitler was still insistent that granite purchases from Norway and
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Hitler had toyed with grandiose plans for Berlin as far back as the early 1920s when he was just an
unimportant Southern German politician. These were to provide the basis for Speer's own plans
and models,
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. Hitler envisioned a five kilometre avenue stretching through the centre of the city leading to a
domed hall several times the size of St Peters in Rome.
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. In addition there were to be dozens of major cultural buildings, including a mega-6000 seat
cinema and an operetta theatre.
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This new capital was to be called Germania and was to be opened in 1950,
The buildings of Germania were to be monotonously huge. The plans for the new city suggest that
ideology was clearly having an impact on art; the vastness of Germania represented the will to
conquer. in an attempt to impress Hitler, Speer was willing to take Hitler's megalomania seriously
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SECT10" 2 . Rise to prominence
. , . Speei; granted the closest approximatibn to a carte blanche ever given to anyone by Hitler
expanded on his patron ^ plans, increasing the dimensions of the great dome and other features 5
Fest relates the story of Speer^s father visiting his son during the period of all these grandiose plans.
Apparently Speer's aging father could do nothing more than shake his head and suggest that his
In January 1937, Speer was formally placed in charge of the I^. erlin project and given the title
'Inspector General of Construction for the Reich Capital'. He was given extensive powers and was
directly subordinate only to Hitler. This meant that Speer did not have to go through city officials,
Answerable to Hitler alone, Speer wash lapt granted a kind of dictatorial status '
. He redrew the plans for the I 986 Olympic Stadium. Hitler had been very unhappy with the
modernist look of the original idea with its emphasis on glass and steel.
. He designed the German pavilion for the 1937 Paris World Fair. The German site had been
.
.
.
:^,
.
.
^
^
^
placed next to the Soviet pavilion. By chance, Sneer came across the designs for the Soviet
pavilion and he was able to ensure that his design dwarfed that of its neighbour.
The new Reich Chancellery
Speer's major architectural achievement was the building of the new Reich Chancellery. In January
I938, Hitler gave Speer the job of designing and building this new edifice and demanded its
completion by January 1939. Hitler said that he wanted a building which would impress diplomats
and overwhelm overseas leaders with the power of the Reich. Speer had 8000 men working in the
project, 4500 actually on site while 3500 worked on preparing materials.
. Hitler made a habit of visiting the site unannounced and checking Speer's plans, though he never
demanded alterations.
. Speer suggests that during this period Hitler was very concerned with his mortality.
. He feared not living to see the completion of his dreams and during the I 930s often suffered
bouts of ill health.
^,
^
=.
=^,
. It was at this time that Hitler began putting his faith in a quack doctor, Theodor Morrell, who
provided Hitler with ever increasing amounts of pills, potions and injections.
Speer managed to complete the project early. It would be incorrect to say ahead of schedule, as
Speer had not worked out a schedule, instead:
"he displayed the briMant improvi^;ational genius with which both followers and opponents have
always credited him. re
:^,
The Reich Chancellery was arguably Speer's greatest architectural achievement; it certainly
impressed Hitler who awarded him the Gold Party Badge and added a personal touch by giving
:.
him one of his own watercolours from the very early days. ' Hitler seemed particularly pleased with
^,
:.
I^I
=.
his study table, with its inlay of a sword half-drawn from its sheath. Hitler was amused at how this
6 Fest. J. Spear: The Final Verdict. Weldenfeld and Nicolson, London, 2001, p93
7 Fest, p64
8 Fest, PIO3
9 In his youth, Hitler had salously hoped to become an adjsi and had twice med to gain entry into the Manna Academy of Fine Ans
to Speer, PI72
27
r:
Exercise 4.1
I:
Using the words and phrases in the box below, complete the f 11
s decision to
I:
,:
,
which
was great
filmed
by S e
^ y
_,_,,. $peer's
innovation
at 'these
events was his ,_,_ effect. Speer was 'Iven the ' b f I
,_, site for future rallies but these plans were never realised. S
,:
many projects, this one remained a dream. Speer redesi ned the 01
b uildin g
which opened in January 1939. For this project, Hitler awarded Speer a
.
future
Troost
cathedral of light
Hitler
modernist
Nuremberg
Reich Chancellery
.:
Leni Riefenstahi
B erlin
theory of ruins
permanent
Germania
r
.
Party intrigues
Speer stated that he always tried to remain aloof from the 'intr' ' ' '
Hitler tended to discuss only 'artistic' matters with him. Howe , S ' '
shy exterior that Speer presented publicly, there lurked a ruthle '
meant that he was forced into the political whirlpool whether he 11k d ' ,
around him a group of young architects who developed a stron to alt f h '
However, despite their loyalty, none was allowed to even consider acce t'
r
.
Speer
had faced opposition early on from the likes
of Goebbels,
h
Hitler.
'
s
However, Speer's main party opponent was Martin Bormann. Bor '
but as time went on he moved more fully into Hitler's orbit and as th
become
so close to Hitler, that no one could get to see the Fuhrer Ih t f
Bormann.
r
.
.
'
. Before the war Bormann took care of Hitler's finances, the b 'Id' h I'
even the needs of Eva Braun, Hitler^s long-suffering mistress.
^
L
11 The monntainside in Bavarla there Hitler had his Be rehtese aden in nt ' t
12
Speer,
137
L
28
I^.
. Bormann resented Speer because at this stage Speer could see Hitler without Bormann being
there. This was a challenge to Bormann's power.
I.
. Speer was be coin. ing'jealous of another architect, Hermann Giessler, who had been given the job
of redesigning Munich and Linz.
. Speer sought to lessen Giessler's influence by issuing a decree that all building requests had
to go through him.
;a,
>~
Y
. Bormann succeeded in blunting Speer's influence. Speer backed down and accepted control
I^,
.
.
.
.
With the outbreak of war, Speer sought to become fully involved in wartime activities.
..
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.meithdd
bolt-^0 60016ir:fad". '
'"hit"' "t~' B'I' " ' ' '
.. .' ..-.,-, *
*.
SPEER AND
THE WAR
I939-4 t
S
6r Set
dirt ' ''
Sped
SetU'Up' Several
Severaltrans'
transport
:,
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^
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^
Goebbels decided that the 20 000 flats still owned by Jews in Berlin were needed as a reserve in
case allied bomb damage meant that German citizens had to be relocated. He was tired of the
hesitancy towards the Jews and ordered their deportation to Lodz, Riga and Minsk. Goebbe!s was
happy to use terror tactics to achieve his aim.
13 Van derVal. p92
29
Early in the war, Speer's office had dealt with various Berlin construct' t ,
contractors and Iiaised with delivery firms. However, as the issue of th J ' h F ,
.
.
.
was now dealing with delegates of the Jewish community, SS Qincers and Goebl? I . G '
Was eager to rid Berlin of its Jewish population. His impatience led him t ' ' t
committed suicide rather than be forced east. By this time, ' S ee ' d
was too big or because Speer could not stomach the work * It*
hurry things along. Houses were searched and Jews were herded onto t k . M
Fest suggests that he was not 'directly' involved in the events. '
.
.
In
his S
andau
diaries
andhish'
In his Spandau
diaries
and his memoirs,
Speer never mentions
d F1''
in
the
affair.
Gitta Sereny suggests that Speer would not have known what 'was -
..
now headihg an organisatibn of thousands, knew much about the details ' I d 15
However, Sereny also makes the point that Speer must have known ab t th 194 '
remove all the Jews because one of I his leading Officials, 01ahes, had att d d th
when Adolf Eichmann had been told to work out the plan for reinov' th
It I^ impossible that Speer was not informed of the substance of this in t ' - th
the, Jews from Berm. ,6
I'
r
r
Speer^s long-time friend and colleague, Rudolf Wolters, kept a detailed ch ' I f
the war. When this chronicle was later published, certain sections r d' h
omitted - Wolters stated later he had done this out of consideration f S
go along with this. However, later on Wolters became ang with S e ' I
towards his Nazi career and so he broke with Speer, and placed the
with the (West German) government archives. Speer's participation and knowled e f th J
'r
.
r
I^
This raises issues about Speer as a inari. Even if it can be acce ted that h h d d'
involvement, he had to know what was going on, as Sereny su ests b H
live with the knowledge of what was happening to these up to 75 000 B I' J ,
.=
,,
IL:
back and analyse Speer's cold upbringing to seek an explanation for this.
Sereny argues further that the fate of the Jews was of no concern to him, h
fate of the millions of slave workers who would work for him later in the w Th I
was,
says Sereny, that when Speer wanted something, he went after it, and th h
not matter. ,7
..=
.
.,
14 Fest, PI20
15 Soreny, G. Nbert Speer: His Battle with Truth. Picador. London, I995, p220
.-I
16 Sereny. p221
17 Sereny, p223
30
.^
IF=
This book is subject to Copyright. No mole than 10% is permitted to be hotoc ' d.
,=
11
. Van der Vat has a different explanation. He suggests that Speer was a inari who was able to
'compartmentajise' his life. For Speer, the violent activities of the regime were quite separate
.
.
a
.
.
from the work which Speer did for the regime which in turn was quite separate from the
personality of Hitler, the inari who continued to maintain such a hold over him.
Exercise 4.2
Read each of the following statements. Circle either THIS Is TRUE or THIS Is FALSE as it applies
to the statement.
position,
4. Speer managed to establish a complex and extensive
.
6. Speer was intimately involved in the detail and planning of
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' The issue at the heart of this chapter is: did Spe
\"'
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When Speer graduated in. 1927, . at twentythree years of age, Tessenow made him his graduate
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speej- interpreted his commission broadly, , ear. old Dr Rudoif Woiters. The knew each otti
coming up with a plan that also included an from ^indent da s, Since then, Wolters h;
east-west . avenue that intersected with the north~ diev!=I ed an' ex eru^C in town - Iannin .
south avenue, and required extensive demolitionbuildings. housing 50 000 ap'arunents were actually.
knocked . down, Speer's plan' provided for the he'. a r ached S e6t, seekiri emussion to
construction of a number of buildings: a palace for
the Ftihrer; headquarters for the high command of
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buildings were never to be constructed. One building was to incorporate sensitive information th
that was completed was the New Cliancellery. 111 late otherwise would have been' onintted for fear
January 1937, Hider set Speer the. challenge of , . implicating. colleagues in conduct of which odie
coinpletirig this verylargejob by. 10January 1939. He
did it with a few days to ^pare by employing a
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meters indrided 420 Toolns. The two storey building's activities of the GBl's IResetilement lieparuiien
main features were its 146 metre^long marble gallery one of the dut^es of that partialIai department w
and Hider's sttidy, 27 metres x 14.5 metres. One of to identify Jellys who were Telling fiats in Berlin, D
the main purposes of the New ChanceUeiy was to chi. onide entry for April 1941 refers to Jew-flats'.
ovenvhehn foreign dignitaries as they progressed records that the GET required 366 fiats rented byJe
along the enonnQusly long gallery to the huge study. be vacated and handed over to nonJews-whose or
Hitler coriumented: 'When anyone enters the Reich accommodation the 0131 was . demolishing. ,'11
Chancellery, he should feel that he is visiting the GIIronide records that in Augustjewish occupants
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Within this study of A1bert Speei; students will 'learn about':
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pp 70-71.74.75-81,8749
PR 70-71
FF. 73-74.75-81
pp. 75-81,83.89-91,94-96.
106-108
pp. 70-71,80-81,83,899i,
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. the Nati war machine and its impkatiotrs for the war efort pp. 84-89,944i6
pp 93-96
. military defeat and the comapse OCN, zism
claimed that he was sorry for his war crimes and regretted his ~
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. militarism
involvement with the Nazi Party. -He also maintained that he knew
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pp. 68-71,72-73.82-83.93
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ALBERT SPEER
ONE
I.
which lits 'mother Luise developed a alent for devising new turnip
S P E E R,
ARC HIT E CTU RE
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AND POLITICS
'I
61
MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN
G E RMANY
the second of diree sons. His father, rubert Friedrich Speer, was a
successful architect and property ounier, wliile Ills mother, Luise Madiilde
I ,; ^
;, 111
was lavishly furnished with French and- Indian furniture, handembroidered caratis and crystal charidefiers. The family owned two cars
(a touring car for sun^ner and a sedan for winter) and employed a cook,
,I
a kitchen maid, chamber maids, a butter and a chauffeur. rubert and his
sides were faced with a cruel war of attrition. For the German home
front, tliis resulted in serious food and fuel shortages. The food shortages
were compounded by poor harvestsiri 19/6 and 19/7, whichiritumled
to rtsing prices and a growing black market. City-dwellers, particularly
those with no fartn^Ig relatives in the country who could supply them
with food, were the hardest hit. Around 700 000 city people died from
starvation and hypottierinin in 19/7. Nthotigliwealdi enabled the Speer
firmly to purchase what food was avatlable, it could do liede to overcome
the actual scarcity of that food, so they too were affected by the food
shorts^es. In I'S memoirs, Eri""erringat (1969), robert Speer related how
his farmy endured the so-called 'turnip winter' of 19/7-19/8, during
: I
.
60
neo-Classic. I: a style of architecture popular in Germany dadng the first half of the
nineteenth century, based on the Greek. Turkish and Middle Eastern Classical styles of
architecture
62
ALBERT STEER
63
11
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neo-Baroque: a highly ornate style of architecture popular in Germany dudng the latter
tlnougli which they could further their ideals. One piontinent Warkb", Id
architect was Peter Behrens, who desigied the A1!gemei"e ElektrinT"Is
Caratlschqji (AEG) Tit, bin, Fad, n, (1908-1909). The factory design un^
based on that of a traditional German farmhouse, and was an attempt
to infuse 'the filerory' with the same sense of intrinsic 'Germanness' as
peasant agricultural life.
Gropius called his new institution the B@"halts 010use of building), The
Banhaus style am characterised by the ideal that art and craft should be
part of the nineteenth century, based on the Baroque style of architecture that developed
in Italy in the sixteenth century.
Berlin; from 1871. capital of unified Germany.
pan-German nationalism: devotion to the advancement of all German States and the
recovery of German folk traditions e. g. art, music.
prefabricated; to manufacture housing parts in standardised seatons ready for assembly.
64
ALBERT SPEER
HEINRICH TESSENOW
65
century (such as Bantuus) was left wing in orientation. It was not about
In 1924, when inflation stabilised, Speer was able to transfer lits studies
year, Speer transforred again, to the Institute of Technology in BermnChar16ttenburg, where he came under the tutelage of Professor
S P E E R' S A RC H IT E C TU RA L
Tl\. A1 N I N G
internationalism: the promotion of the 'common good' between nations; a style of art or
fundionalis. : furniture and housing design that stresses usefulness and plastica!ity.
.
66
Speer had a high regard for his teacherTessenow and identified with
his philosophies about architectural simplicity, Almost as soon as Speer
first metTessenow, he planned to work with him. In 1927, Speer passed
days a week. During the remaining time Speer hoped to build up his
private practice.
number 474481.
ALEERT SPEER
67
Speer was even more impressed when Hider began lads speech. He did
not shout excitedly as Speer had thougllt he would, but spoke
persuasively and soberIy about Its vision for Ceriumy. Speer dimed to
have been deeply affected, not only with Hider'^ proposed solutions to
the direat orconunuriism andl, is renunciation of the Treaty of Versailles
,
~
ALBERT SPEER 69
Two
NAZI PARTY,
1933-1942
war decadence, 'racial' degeneration and all that was 'wrong' with the
Weirnar Republic. The paper also contended that the internationalist
style of modern architecture war not Tele^nt to native German culture
and that it had become a Inark of rims society and urbimsation.
Paul Schultze-Naumbutg, co-creator of the Hetingtsiilhouse, was a
pitched Too^. For Schultze-Namnburg, the pitched roof was the only
style of roof fit for the houses of Aryan Germam, because it gave the
Aryan: in Nazi ideology. a nori-Jewish Caucasian. especially one with blonde hair; blue
Richard Waiter Darr, : Reich Minister of Agriculture. 1933-1942.
agronomis. : a soil and crop scientist
blut undbo, *en:the Nazi philosophy that Aryan Germans should Ilvein close contact with
their native soil, i. e. the countryside.
68
..-
70
ALEERT SinEER 71
- --.
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conform to the bint und 60de" ideology as Goebbels f;31t that Nazism
should promote rather than restrict creativity. By 1935, Hider decided in
favour of Goebbels. The Reichsk"!tark@miner became the only legal
campaign speeches the Nazis prointsed that once in power they would
exclude modernist architects from positions of power and deny them any
In 1932, the Nazis won control of the Dessau City Council and
forced it to withdraw its support for the Banhaus school. The school
closed doam its Deusau operations and moved to Berlin. The refuge in
Berthn was short lived, however, for when the Nazis won power there
early in 1933, the Gestapo raided the school and arrested students,
allegedIy for possessing'coriumutiist propagandainnterial'. The schoolwas
subsequenrly shut down.
From the moment Hitler became Chancellor fullanunry 1933, the
influence on architecture.
I I
its influence and status. In Tunny ways, tins episode was typical of the
ringlry and power play between Nazi leaders such as Goebbels and
Rosenberg. It was also evidence that different architectuml preferences and different understandings of Nazism - were emerging among the
Nazi leadership.
Given that Goebbels had aisntissed the bl"t ""of both" restrictions,
the K@MRIb""d and the anA1 had done its work, leaving modernist
architects unable to obtain new conirriissions. T}lis, combined with anti-
left for the United States in 1934;Walter GEopiusleft for ETicoinin 1934
for Britain in 1933 and then went to the United States in 1941,
and then went to the United States in 1937; and Erich Mendelsohn left
Speer!; pinus to develop lits prints architectum practice on Its days off from
teaching proved unsuccessful. The deepening econointc depression of the
late 1920s led to a downturn in the construction industry, making it very
dimwit for a young architect like Speer to had desigri work. When his
assistsnt lecturer^ salary was reduced by the Geni^n government in 1932
72
ALBERT SPEER
73
Party) and it, ^ derig, I for d, ^ Han, der dantsch, ,, K",,, t (House of Gernnn
Art) in 1933.
he became the association's head. His district headquarters were 'WestEnd Bermi'led by Kre^skim^ (Naxi distri, t reader) K^, I Hank^. Hank^
chad. us of July 1932. The Nazi Party was stunmmgly rug, ^,, fi"I at tt, ^^^
elections, and gained 37 per cent of the vote, which nude it the largest
single party in the Reichstag. The victorious Nazi Party wanted to flaunt
its new prestige and power, and purchased several new buildings for parry
headquarters and party residences.
The day after his driving service, Speer was contacted by Hanke
who asked him to Techcorate the new district headquarters on Voss
invited him to dinner. Hider was impressed when he learnt that Speer
had been responsible for the work on COGbbels' mittsterial building and
on the 1933 Noremberg Rally. Hider took a liking to Speer. The two
men talked about art and building design over lunch and thriller, In
Speer, Hitler saw a young untried architect who could carry the partys
ideology and his (Hitler^;) own architecturel ideas beyond his lifetime.
Speer soon became part of Hider^; timer circle, He was given a party
uniform and appointed to R"dor Hess's staff as Able fungsleiter
Nazis had won the subsequent Reichstag elections with nearly 44 per
cent of the vote. Hanke had become secretary to Goebbels. This time,
^I
Hanke offered Speer the job of rebuilding and redecoratitig the new
building for COGbbels' Minttry of Propaganda on Withehn\; Square.
Before long, Speer was being hired for many assigiunents for the
new Nazi government, induding the extension of Goebbels' house;
decorations for the 1933 May Day Tally at Tempelhof; and decorations
for the NUTemberg Party Rally of 1933, where he installed a huge
Reich eagle overlooking the Zeppelin Field. Speer was also called on
I
,
74
ALBERT SPEER
. ..
^
75
~ ..
S eer set to work making a plaster model of his desig^ for the bleachers
have the bleachers ready for the 1934 NUTemberg Party Rally, The
bleachers consisted of along staircase enclosed by a colonnade, with a
steel and glass, in order to convey the impression that Nazism stood fot
progress' and youth'. The Ordealsb",:ge, , schools were built in a neo-
II
platform for honoured guests in the rinddle of the stairs and seating for
"
and clearly saw himelf as the architect for such posterity, He noted that
iron and steel reinforcement, as was used in modern buildings, ulthriately
builchiigs as they decayed in the discont fixture, like the ruins of indent
The ruin value theory rt:jeered the use of steel or iron reinforcement for
Hider's desire to impress the Thight and power of the Reich upon
Germans and the rest of the world that architecture would attain an
Greece and Rome. To tills end, Speer proposed a 'theory of ruin value'.
buildings, as was the modern practice. Instead, it proposed that the use of
stone aria brick, both for reinforcement aria for construction, would
S eer!; next assigrmient was to desigi the decor for the 1934 Nommberg
Rail . He made excelrsive use of the Nazi swastika flag; and bamers, and
draped them across buildings and between houses along the streets of
Baldur von Shineh: Head of the Hitler Youth, 1933-1940.
Hitler Jugond the official Nazi Party organisation for boys,
Ord, "sb"rg. in IC. 3.10 OrderI schools: selective Nazi secondary schools.
neo-Romanesque: an architectural style based on the Romanesque style of architeciure
of the late tenth to the early thirteenth centuries in Europe.
thousand-year Reich: a Naziideology that the Reich would last for 1000 years.
Noremberg. Speerts most memomble work for the 1934/1. .ally was the
desi for the, 4mts, ,niter. The, tintstmlterwas a rally for the middle- and
,
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76
AIR"RT SPEER
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Classical style and use stone for their construction. Hider was hugely,
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Speer;; design. for the Tally site incorporated a. parade ground where
'the army could perform hintary I, lanoetivres, surrounded by stands for
160 000. specmtors'. and 24 ' rowers; a processional a\, errue over two
kilometres long for the aru, yto Inardt do\^ryi and drive their tanks and
equipment; a grand horseshoe-shaped stadium* kn. 0^, 11 as the Gemnn
Shadiiiit)'; a Congress Hawand a Culture 'Hall. The entire complex \\^s
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designed by Speer, \vith the e. Econtion of tile Congress Hall, which 11ad
been designed by Ludwig l<tiff in 1933. In terms of size, the parade ,
groundj the avenue, the, German Stadium and the site itself were varrly
superior to stadiat structures else\\, here in E\, rope or the United States.
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Nuremberg Laws: Nazi laws announced In 1935 that removed citizenship and political
rights from Jews and from those with Jewish ancestry.
*
78
ALUiRT SPEER
I N D I V I D U A I_ S I N M O D E !I. N ! ! I S T O R. Y
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werc subiilitred to the Paris World's Fair of 1937 and won the Grand
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surpassiiTg Paris andVieni}a. The new Berlin, Hider hoped, would restore
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the northern end of the boule\^rd, Hider planned a huge 111eeting hall,
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triumphal arch (over three times higher than the Arc de Triomphe in
Paris) that would bear all the names of Gerinaity, ^; war dead. These
dimensiorrs were not only designed to inspire and intimidate Genjiam
and foreign visitors; they \\, ere also intended to serve the city of Berlin
into the distant trainen, mum. Indeed, the expansive breadth of the gnutd
boulevard was desigiled co be \\, ide errouglt to arconunodate thousands
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80
ALBER. T SPEER
81
planted on the outskirts of the city centre. His model of Berlin, correct
to the last detail, am put on display in the exhibition Toolus of the Berlin
Academy of Arts in 1937. The Bermn project was due for completion in
1950.
by tliis and were ittitially reincmnt to cooperate. Dr. Julius Lippert, lord
aparmients near the city centre. This meant that nuny people would
need to be relocated in and around Berlin. With over 23 000 aparmients
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In April 1939, the Nazis passed 'The Law Concerning the Rental
Situation of Jews'. The law stated that Jewish tenants no longer had the
In keeping with Its status as leader of the 'thousand-year Reich*, and his
liking for grandiosity* Hider instructed Speer to desigi a new, enlarged
Chancenery building in January 1938. Hider was anxious for Speer to
complete the entire project - from blueprints co construction and
furnishing - by early January 1939, so that he could hold a diplomatic
reception. Speer agreed and nomediately ordered the demolition of
houses on 1.65s Stmsse to linke room for the new building. He had 8000
builders, labourers and craftsmen working day and inglit in two shifts to
themselves and their landlord and that the landlord could break a lease at
Four Virtues: also known as the 'four cardinal virtues'. considered by the Ancient Greek
philosophers to be the essential virtues of moral excellence.
82
ALBERT SPEER
ARCHITECTURE AND
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Aside from its value as propaganda* architecture also served the economic
goals of the Nati Party. Architecture and construction work were central
to Germany's economic recovery from the Great Depression, Speer and
Ins o^ce were not the only architects working for Hider. There were at
83
WORLD WAR 11
least ten others working for him, designing the new city centres of
Munich, Hamburg and Linz (Hitler!; boyhood town in Austria).
Furthermore, other lulliistries wiimn the Nazi Party, such as the Ministry
of Agriculture and the HitlerYouth also coniriiissioned a great number
of construction works. Hitler\; monumental building programs at
stone were increased. HitlerI; call for this swift completion had a direct
impact on the lives of concentration camp prisoners' By August 1941,
over 10 000 prisoners were quarrying stone and making bricks.
Germany\; successful occupation of Poland, Denmark, Nonuay,
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resources and- funding were poured into the Thintary effort. A grearly
reduced ZR. PT staff continued to place onIers for stone but it was
poinrless. By 1945, only two of the five in;!jbr buildings at Nuremberg
had been completed. The parade ground was left with only U of its 24
towers completed; the Congress Hall was finished to the third floor; and
the Gemnn Stadium was little more than a huge hale in the ground.
Apart from the disruption to the building projects, the war also
changed Speer!;Jewish rehoustrig program. From the beginiimg of 1941,
Speer ordered an increase in the rate of Jewish evictions from Bermi and
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Consequently, many of the most infamous CODcentration camps of the Naziera- Mauthausen, Gross
Rosen and Budienwald among them - were established close to quarries. The camp at Mauthausen, for
instance, was set up in 1938 alongside the granite
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Speer's plans cannot simply be viewed from the archi~
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morally bound to consider not onlythe designs them~
selves but also the brutal methods by which they were
brought into being.
Germania, thoughlargely unrealised, nonetheless
projected its malign influence into many other spheres
of Ii^ - and death-in the Third Reich. Its contempt
G6ring^ Air Ministry
building, now the headquarters of the German
federal finance ministry
for mankind was demonstrated not'only in the treatmerit meted out to those doomed to cut its stone in
the concentration camps or those who found themselves living in its path; it also attended to those who
might one day have walked those granite-clad boulevards. It is notable, for example, that in all the plans a
human dimension is aimost completely lacking.
Hider, it appears, had absolutdy no interest in the
social aspects of the planning that he oversaw; his
passion was for the buildings themselves rather than
for the human beings who might one dayinhabit
them. Indeed it has been plausibly suggested by ETederic Spots that the plans for Bermn's reconstruction
were themselves simply a manifestation of Hitter's
desire to reduce cities and even individuals to the
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Revision Questions
Q, .
Is fair to say that the early life of A1bert Speer was characterised by a life of middle-class
privilege? Yes or No?
q2
Is it fair to say that Speer's relationship with both parents was governed by detachment and
coldness that led to him being quite emotionally detached and indifferent as an adult to the
misfortune and plight of others? Yes or No?
Q3 Is it true that Speer pursued his career in architecture largely at the insistence of his father s
wishes? Yes or No?
q4 Up to his appointment as a teacher at the Berlin Institute of Technology in 1,930, had Speer
shown any inclination to engage in the politics that had been gripping the thoughts and
sentiments of most middle-class Germans? Yes or No?
Q5 Would it be true to say that up to this point he had displayed what might be characterised as
political indifference and a lack of commitment to politics? Yes or No
Q6
Q7
q8
As a consequence, what critical moment in the life of Speer arrived on I March 1931?
q9
What is it about this moment that sits at complete odds with the fact that Speer by this time
was an undoubted aesthetic? tintsllectual, educated and lover of the fine arts)
Ql. O What did Speer clearly regard as the worst possible consequence for Germany and German
politics in the early 1,930s, which helps to explain his leanings towards the Nazi Party as the
best solution to the problems that be set Germany?
Q, .,.
Faced with redundancy as a poorly paid assistant professor in the depression and the
In what regard did this meeting change his life irrevocably, even acknowledged by Speer
himself as such?
This was the luckiest turning point of my life. I hnd reached the junction,
q, .3
Q1.4
What was Speer's next commission which proved his ability to integrate visual motifs into his
design as propaganda?
Q, .5
What motif was used here by Speer on gigantic vertical banners each the size of ten storey
building that had a stunning visual impact?
Q. .8
In 1933 for whom did Speer find himself commissioned to do lots of private work which
brought even more prominently to the attention of the party hierarchy?
Q1.9
Q20
This appointment was motivated by the similarity that Hitler undoubtedly saw between him
and Speer on what issues and matters?
Q2i.
This appointment also brought Speer into direct contact with Rudolph Hess and ence
projects that involved the enlivenment and improvement of worker's conditions across t e
country. What was it known as?
Q22
Q23
Whose death in March 1934 irrevocably changed the life of A1bert Speer?
Identify 4 key features and points about the 1934 Nuremberg Rally and site for future rallies
that clearly identify that Speer's involvement would clearly far surpass anything he had ever
done before.
Q24
Articulate Speer's philosophical position and thoughts about Nuremburg and its value an
use and role
Q25
Q26
How did Speer's vision for the site at Nuremburg fit in with Hitler's on a personal level.
What was the name of the architectural theory espoused by Speer that argued that one a
to envision a future were all architectural features of a regime would inevitably be in ruins
Why was this theory espoused in 1,934 heavily criticised? What was Hitler s reaction to it.
Hitler's reaction was coloured by his hopes to link National Socialism in the very distant
future with which two ancient empires whose legacy still endured in 1,934. W to o ese
Hitler's principal architectural dream had always centred round the rebuilding o w at.
Q3o
Primarily he wanted this dream and vision to rival and surpass the architectura egacy no
which three cities?
Q3, .
Q32
The name for the grand vision that Berlin was to become and transformed into.
Q33
Q34
Q3s
Q36
Q37
Q38
What position was Speer given in January 1,937 that confirmed his position o impor ance
that also allowed him to not have to report to Goebbels or the Ministry o e n erior o
communicate directly with Hitler?
Q39
Q4o
What act of subterfuge was he involved in with this project that confirms his singular drive
and ambition?
q41.
Given the fact that Germania was never completed what must surely be regarded asspeer s
greatest triumph as Hitler's architect?
Q42
When was the brief given to Speer and when was the expectation that it be completed?
Q43
Q44
Hitler's major concern with the building and the design was centred round what?
Q4s
Q46
Q47
In spite of his elevated status by 3,937 with Hitler and his growing closeness and proximity to
Nazi politics and party intrigues, Speer always claimed that the only matters he and Hitler
ever discussed were 'artistic'. True or false?
q48
After the outbreak of war and long before his involvement as a player in the position of
Armaments Minister, Speer was involved in proceedings/activities that certainly speak way
and above and beyond his claim that he was a simple technocrat or architect only
involved in artistic pursuits. What were they?
Q49
In 1939 what legislation was passed that would become the most controversial issue
surrounding him up to 1942?
Qso
Who was the driving force behind this legislation that was undoubtedly a direct outcome of
the infamous pogrom of 1,938 known as the 'Night of Broken Glass ?
Q5. .
Frustrated with the slowness of the solution he sought to the Jewish question Goebbels
decided that the flats of how many Jews in Berlin needed their immediate eviction and
relocation from their flats to the cities of Losz, Riga and Minsk?
Q52
Goebbels whilst not afraid to publicly espouse his anti-Semitism nor enforce measures to
achieve his end, couched and therefore sariitised the eviction of the Jews from their flats
under the umbrella of which department created by him?
Q53
Speer's department although primarily involved in construction activities early in the war
was involved in the early stages of Jewish re-settlement, albeit in a purely administrative
capacity, of this there is no doubt and therefore he knew of the policy used by Goebbels and
the brutal tactics used by the SS to enforce the law. Identify some key points that
acknowledge and confirm his understanding of the issue
Q54
If Speer was not an anti-Semite as he always maintained, then how is it possible to explain
and rationalise his involvement in the Jewish Flats issue?
Qi.
yes
Q2
yes
Q3
yes
Q4
nO
Q5
Yes
Q6
Q7
Letter from Speer to his daughter published in Sereny, G. A1bert Speer: His Trouble with
Truth
Q8
Q9
That he fell under the spell of a leader of such an anti-intellectual movement and
organisation
QIO
Ql. ,.
Karl Hanke the leader of the Nazi Party's District Headquartersin Kreisleitung West (Berlin)
Q, .2
Received the commission to redecorate the headquarters of Goebbels in the Voss Strasse
QL3
Exceptionally impressed
Q, .4
The design for the 1st May Tempelhof Field Day rally
Q15
Swastika
Q1.6
Commissioner for the Artistic and Technical Presentation of Party Rallies and Presentations
Q, .7
Q, .8
Q1.9
Q20
A shared interest in architecture and the philosophical issues that underpinned its role and
importance
Q2L
Q22
Troost
Q23
*The use of the Blood Flag Scene involving Hitler, HiminIer and Lutze
*The use of the massed ranks
Q4s
Hitler's study table had an inlaid sword on it half drawn from its sheath. He believed this
would result in visiting diplomats been scared of him
Q46
Q47
True
Q48
*He managed to secure the position of overseer for the rocket site at Peenemunde where
he had a staff of 26,000 workers who built army buildings, aeroplane factories and air raid
shelters for Berlin. By late 1941 his construction staff had built 30,000 air raid shelters.
*He set up several transport units of thousands of trucks with 300 barges to remove the
debris from bombing raids
Following the invasion of Russia in 1941 he had the task of fixing railways in the Ukraine that
had been deliberately destroyed by the Russians. This brought him directly under the
authority of Fritz Todt, the munitions and weapons minister.
Q49
Q50
Goebbels
Q51
20,0000
Q52
Resettlement department
Q53
*a chief aide of Speer's by the name of Clahes attended the conference held by Adolf
Eichmann in Berlin in 1941 to work out strategies to enforce the evictions. Sereny contends
that it is impossible that Speer was not informed of the proceedings and the outcomes.
*a long-time friend and colleague of Speer's Rudolf Wolters dismayed by Speer's penitential
attitude about his war involvement, produced some diary extracts that he had never
disclosed out of respect for Speer. He lodged them with the German government archives
and they tend to confirm with their detail, that whilst Speer was not directly responsible for
the issuing of the orders and therefore his participation was low, he was none the less
involved and certainly knew of the whole issue and cannot have failed to understand that
the fate for most of the 75,000 in total who were relocated ended up in the camps.
*Plans for Germania that were totally under his control and authority were clearly labelled
and marked with 'Jew Free Zones'.
Q54
Sereny contends that their fate simply did not concern him as the fate of the millions of
slave workers who later came under his control would likewise not concern him. She claims
that the human cost did riot matter if it stood in the way of his ability to achieve the end he
was instructed to achieve, or the end he desired.
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