Albert Speer Rise to Prominence

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Albert Speer – rise to prominence Albert Speer was a significant figure in German history due to his various architectural projects and his appointment as Minister for Armaments. Although he claimed to be apolitical, Speer joined the Nationalist Social party on March 1st, 1931 and from they’re his career in the Nazi party prospered. Speer’s first contribution to the Nazi party was as a chauffer, as district head of the Nazi Motorist League, where he met Karl Hanke. A recommendation by Hanke to Goebbels, gave Speer his first architectural assignment of decorating Goebbels headquarters in Berlin. Hitler approved the finished result, however Goebbels did not like its simplicity and had it redecorated. In July 1933, Speer was commissioned to prepare the Nuremburg Rally where he proposed the Theory of Ruin Value. Speer was made architectural advisor to Hitler’s architect, Ludwig Troost. The pair refurbished the chancellery building in Berlin. During this event Speer and Hitler became close friends and when Troost died in 1934, Speer filled his position as the Party’s Chief Architect. The most prestigious of Speer architectural assignments was the Germania Project of 1937. The plan was based on Hitler’s perception that Germany was the most powerful country in the world. With this assignment, he was named First Architect of the Reich. The assignment involved the design of a new Reich Chancellery and the destruction of thousands of Jewish homes. After this, Hitler publicly claimed Speer to be a genius. Hitler appointed Speer as Minister for Armaments on February 7th 1942. Speer was extremely successful as the Minister for Armaments due to his exceptional organizational skills. He created a central planning committee headed by Speer, which took increasing responsibility for war production. By 1944, armaments production increased by 300% with only 30% increase

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