Speer claims that he was non-political - What evidence isthere that this was valid?

Authors Avatar

Speer claims that he was non-political. What evidence is there that this was valid?

Speer was born into, and raised in a conservative middle-class family, which stressed the unquestioning acceptance of the existing social and political system, typical of Imperial German education. Speer was never encouraged to the think about the problems of society, and any discussion of political matters was looked down upon, for which Speer claims to be the reason for his lack of interest in politics.

While teaching at the Institute of Technology in Berlin, Speer recalls discussing politics with many of his students, in which he says his students would be able to counter any point that he would make. This displays that because of his upbringing he was uneducated about the political structure or situations in Germany. Speer was soon persuaded by his students into attending one of Hitler's speeches. Speer states that at this oration he was drawn in by Hitler's “magnetic force”, and he often says that he joined “Hitler's Party” as opposed to the Nazi Party. The importance of this, is it displays Speer's lack of interest in the Party's policies but more his interest in Hitler himself.

Speer claimed that up until 1942, when he was appointed Minister of Armaments, his role within the Nazi party was purely of being Hitler's “Personal Architect”. Speer states that one of the reasons Hitler liked his company was because of their shared interest in architecture, and because he never talked about personal politics with Hitler. Speer sustains that he was completely involved in his architectural career and remembers one of Hitler's assistants telling him not bring any more plans as it was distracting Hitler from his real duties. However, Speer's close connection with Hitler, and his association with the Nazi inner circle would most certainly mean he had knowledge of the major developments that led to WWII, and most substantially to the invasion of Russia. This is displayed in 1941 while Speer was having supper with Hitler and other members of the Nazi elite, when Hitler finds out via telegram that Russia and Germany had signed a non-aggression pact. Hitler was quoted saying “I have them”. This comment was followed by Hitler talking about the effectiveness of the Red Army, which should have made it evident to all present what Hitler was planning. In being so closely connected to Nazi activity it is almost impossible for Speer not to know that Germany was planning a war, however he no role in the creation of such plans.

Join now!

Upon becoming a member of the Nazi party Speer soon gained many valuable connections and was asked to undertake many architectural assignments for them, such as painting the interior of Goebbels house. His tasks were from minor alterations and decorating jobs to large political rally organisation, through his hard work in his early years in the party he gained the title “Commissioner for the Artistic and Technical Presentation of Party Rallies and Presentations”. His designs were very much accepted by the Nazi leaders and Hitler himself as they portrayed the “Greatness” and “Strength” of the Nazi's. These presentations had ...

This is a preview of the whole essay