Outline the rise to prominence of the personality you have studied?
Albert Speer’s rise to prominence began through his early work for the Nazi Party, followed by becoming the first architect of the Reich and his contributions to the Germania project where the Nazi power was consolidated. Speer reached his full potential through his appointment as Armaments minister.
Speer’s rise to prominence began when he formally joined the Nazi Party in 1931 as he was inspired by Hitler’s speech and was a “follower of Hitler.” Speer was an architect, who obtained an important connection with Karl Hanke, a high district leader, who rose ranks as the Nazi’s gained more power in 1933. Hanke and Speer developed a close relationship, as he was the chauffeur for the Nazi Party. This contributed to Hanke’s appointment of Goebbels Secretary, which led to greater architectural opportunities for Speer. The first architectural job offered to Speer was in 1933, where he renovated Goebbels propaganda ministry building in Berlin and stated in his book, Inside the Third Reich as “the luckiest turning point in my life.” He completed the job in two months and was put into designing and staging the Nazi rallies. The staging’s included the 1933 May Day and Nuremberg Rally, personally asked by Hitler.
In 1934, Hitler’s first Architect Paul Troost died in 1934, which opened an opportunity for Speer’s rise to prominence. When Speer was 29, he developed a close relationship with Hitler which added to his rise to prominence due to the promoted of becoming Hitler’s chief architect. Fest, states that Hitler drew Speer to him…. He made him great” explores their connection with each other after Speer’s work. Speer never designed a building in the Nazi Party but was given the privilege of designing the new Germany. He again was asked to design the Nuremberg Rally where Leni Riefenstahl filmed Speer’s work and dedicated his work in the film Triumph of the Will. Speer’s architectural skills allowed him to create the ‘cathedral of light’; with the blood flag scene combined with thousands of Nazi flags and lots of searchlights for the night rallies. The Nuremberg rallies were a success, Speer’s career improved and was demanded to expand the parade grounds. The expansion included changes to the stadium where it holds 400,000 people, a large ground for exercise and a 2-kilometre avenue for military parades. Hitler was impressed with the designs and approved his work. Speer submitted his plan in the Paris World Fair and won the prize. The work of Speer-inspired Hitler to take the ‘ruin value concept’ where the buildings would be attractive to thousands of people in the future. The concept was adapted to the construction of Hitler’s Germania in the future.
The plan for Germania began, as Hitler was passionate about building a new Germany that could be the greatest city and last as the power of the Reich. Speer’s rise to prominence continued during 1936, where he took the job of rebuilding Berlin and is evident from Picker who claimed that the renaming of Berlin into Germania was to give a sense of unity. In January 1938, Hitler entrusted Speer with creating the new Reich Chancellery and wanted it completed at the end of the year. Speer succeeded and created a neo-classical style building with days to spare. He helped Hitler achieve his purpose of impressing visitors and earned Speer a good reputation with the Fuhrer.
Speer’s job changed from building cooperation of the army, navy and air force in 1939-1942 to the promotion of Armaments Minister after the death of Fritz Todt. This job opportunity was offered by the Fuhrer to Speer, which adds to his rise to prominence.