Albert Speer was raised in an upper middle class family.

Speer was son to the successful architect

Albert Speer Senior. Speers father was described as somewhat cold and distanced, however ensure
his son studied architecture oppose to his preference for mathematics. Speers mother, Lina Speer,
came from the wealthy Mainz family and thus was preoccupied with social activities of the wealthy
instead of Albert. Albert had an older brother, Hermann and a younger brother Ernst who both
bullied him. As a result Speer experience little warmth and affection from his family. The Speer
family resided in Mannheim, where they employed several staff including a butler, governess and
cook, however later moved to Heidelberg. This prosperous family continued a wealthy lifestyle even
through the hyper-inflation of 1923.
Speer was enrolled in a private elementary school at six years of age. Later moving to further stages
of education where he flourished in mathematics and became more involved in physical activities
compared to his younger years, participating in activities such as hiking, rowing, skiing and rugby.
Leaving school in 1923 when he was eighteen, Speer began the study of architecture at the request
of his Father. Initially Speer studied at the Institute of Technology in Karlsruhe, before moving to the
Institute of Munich in 1924. Speer studied under Professor Heinrich Tessenow and upon graduating
in February 1928 became Tessenows assistant.
Speer had little political commitment to any party. However was introduced to Nazism by his
students whilst Speer taught at Berlins Institute of Technology in 1930. His students thoroughly
believed Hitler would restore Germany to its previous glorious state and was impressed by Hitler
who dressed in a suit opposed to his Nazi uniform and addressed the audience accordingly. Hitlers
speech encapsulated what later convinced Speer to join the Nazi Party. Hitlers disregard for the
Treaty of Versailles, opposition to communism as well as his personal speech qualities drew Speer
towards the party. Like many Germans, Speer had despised the signing of the Treaty, the offer of
restoring German glory would have appealed to Speer. Speer also feared a Communist nation, thus
as the Nazi party would stop and oppose such events Speer felt a greater support. Finally Hitlers
somewhat hypnotic speech drew Speer towards the Nazi Party, which he joined a few months later 1
May 1931.
Motor alliance. However Speers relationship with Karl Hanke, the partys District Headquarters of
the West End, opened many opportunities for Speer to use his architectural background within the
party. Due to the depression, Speers salary was cut and Speer began to rely more on his parents.
However Hanke began to give Speer small architectural jobs for the Nazi party. Speer began by
redecorating the headquarters of a district branch. Later Speer was assigned to redecorate Gobbels
headquarters in Voss Strasse. Hitler view Speers later redecorating and was impressed. Less than a
year later in March 1933 Hanke offered Speer the job of redecorating Goebbels new ministry
building. Speer later criticised designs for a Nazi rally and as a result Hanke suggested he design the
rally. Speers design became the basis for many rallies to come. The design involved towering
swastika banners, huge amounts of light on the stage from search lights and a large raised platform.
As a result Speer was appointed Commissioner for the Artistic and Technical Presentation of Party
Rallies and Presentations. Speer later went onto further design other events and rallies before
becoming appointed as Paul Troosts assistant in 1933 who was Hitlers chief architect. It is as
Troosts assistant that Speer began to have more personal contact with Hitler. However following
the death of Troost in March 1934 Speer was appointed First Architect of the Reich. As a result Speer
was responsible for the design of future buildings that would embody the everlasting Nazi legacy,
such as the rebuilding of Berlin, to be called Germania.
As the First Architect, Speer now gained many opportunities for major projects. Hitler wanted Berlin
to be rebuilt to become the glorious Germania by 1950 and Speer place in charge in 1937. Germania
involved building large avenues, an Arch of Triumph, a stone monument surpassing the Eiffel tower,
huge stadiums to hold thousands and buildings to embody the Nazi legacy to last a thousand years.
Speer was appointed Inspector General of Construction for the Reich Capital and needed only to
report to Hitler. Prior to the war Speer redesigned the 1936 Olympic Stadium and designed the
German pavilion for the 1937 Paris World Fair. Another major project of Speer was the building of
the new Reich Chancellery. Hitlers aim was to erect a building that would impress overseas leaders
and such was achieved and completed within the year by January 1939. The extent of its grandness
is seen as Hitlers own office was 400 metres square with ceilings 9 metres in height.
Speer as Minister for Armaments. Speer replaced Fritz Todt as Minister for Armaments after Todt
died 8
th
February 1942 due to a plane crash. Todts had recently assigned Speer the job of fixing road
and rail communications in Ukraine. But Speer now had an even greater job with even greater
problems than roads and rails. The production of armaments was extremely disorganised and
inefficient with the responsibilities spread over to many people. There was a shortage of labour and
Speers request to use women in the workforce was opposed resulting in an reliance on Jewish camp
inmates, prisoners of wars and foreign labourers and a workforce. As a result Germany was not
keeping up with Armament requirements. However following Speers appointment focused on
consolidation of models and production plants. For example the 42 models of aircraft was reduce to
5 and 151 types of trucks reduced to 23, similarly producing 1000 Messerschmitt-109 fighter from
three plants compared to 180 from seven plants. The greater specialisation of factories resulted in
greater efficiency in production of armaments. Efficiency in production also increased with re-
organisation and consolidation of administrative roles under 13 committees. Speers efforts resulted
in great productivity in the war time, in time doubling production of submarines, vehicles and tanks.

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