Albert Speer's Rise to Prominence
Albert Speer is one of the most controversial figures in history. His complex personality resulting from a traumatic childhood, combined with a cunning intelligence and tireless work ethic saw Speer rise to become one of the most powerful and prominent figures in the Third Reich.
Albert Speer joined the Nazi party on the 1st of March 1931, becoming member number 474 481 . Soon after joining Speer became good friends with Karl Hanke, an essential part of the Nazi propaganda machine. Opportunity and luck can be attributed to Speer’s rise to prominence as Hitler’s ‘First Architect of the Reich’. Hanke gave Speer the opportunity to redesign Goebbels headquarters in Berlin. Described by Speer as ‘the luckiest turning point in my life’ his color scheme and design proved to be a success for Goebbels and Hitler. From this Speer was given numerous opportunities due to his tireless work effort and architectural designs representing the Nazi ideology. After his success in exploiting the opportunity to design the ‘Victory of Faith’ Nuremburg rally in March 1933, Speer was given the chance to design what he called his ‘masterpiece’, the ‘Cathedral of Light’ 1934 Nuremburg rally. The worldwide acclaim and propaganda, which stemmed from the rally raised Speer’s prominence both within Germany and throughout the world. His close personal relationship and unlimited access to Hitler raised his status within the party allowing Speer to develop a path which would eventuate in Speer becoming the second most powerful man in Germany.
The death of Fritz Todt on February 13th 1942 combined with Speer’s incessant work ethic continued Speer’s within history. Already entrenched into the Nazi war machine, the death of Fritz Todt created a void within the Third Reich, in the form of armaments minister. Hitler appointed Speer to the position as he felt that he could not only rely on him to do the job but also because he believed that Speer would not betray his trust. In his autobiography
Albert Speer joined the Nazi party on the 1st of March 1931, becoming member number 474 481 . Soon after joining Speer became good friends with Karl Hanke, an essential part of the Nazi propaganda machine. Opportunity and luck can be attributed to Speer’s rise to prominence as Hitler’s ‘First Architect of the Reich’. Hanke gave Speer the opportunity to redesign Goebbels headquarters in Berlin. Described by Speer as ‘the luckiest turning point in my life’ his color scheme and design proved to be a success for Goebbels and Hitler. From this Speer was given numerous opportunities due to his tireless work effort and architectural designs representing the Nazi ideology. After his success in exploiting the opportunity to design the ‘Victory of Faith’ Nuremburg rally in March 1933, Speer was given the chance to design what he called his ‘masterpiece’, the ‘Cathedral of Light’ 1934 Nuremburg rally. The worldwide acclaim and propaganda, which stemmed from the rally raised Speer’s prominence both within Germany and throughout the world. His close personal relationship and unlimited access to Hitler raised his status within the party allowing Speer to develop a path which would eventuate in Speer becoming the second most powerful man in Germany.
The death of Fritz Todt on February 13th 1942 combined with Speer’s incessant work ethic continued Speer’s within history. Already entrenched into the Nazi war machine, the death of Fritz Todt created a void within the Third Reich, in the form of armaments minister. Hitler appointed Speer to the position as he felt that he could not only rely on him to do the job but also because he believed that Speer would not betray his trust. In his autobiography