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Thread: Albert Speer

  1. #1
    Danny62 Guest

    Albert Speer

    German Architect, Minister of Armaments and Production for Nazi Germany, 1942-1945. He was the only major Government minister of the Third Reich to plead guilty to the charge of war crimes during the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-46, for which he was given a 20-year sentence, instead of a death sentence. Born in Mannheim, Germany, he studied architecture in Karlsruhe and Munich, receiving his architectural license in 1927. In late 1930, he heard Hitler speak at a Berlin rally, and joined the Nazi Party in January 1931, for which his architectural firm was awarded with construction contracts for leading party members. In 1933, he was awarded the contract to construct Joseph Goebbels' official residence, and in 1934, the Nuremberg Stadium in support of the official celebrations of the Nazi's rise to power. His efficiency and talent attracted Hitler's attention, and he later became a close friend of Der Fuehrer, enjoying a relative freedom of action that other members of Hitler's entourage never had. In return, Speer gave Hitler total loyalty and dedication. In 1935, he drew up a plan for the reconstruction of Berlin, creating large (and in some people's eyes, megalomaniac) massive building plans. In 1937, Hitler personally appointed Speer Inspector General for Construction for the Reich. When Fritz Todt died in an airplane accident in 1942, Speer succeeded him as Minister of Armaments and War Production. Using forced and slave labor, Speer was able to increase armaments production to an incredible quantity, while dispersing his factories to lessen their destruction from allied bombing. Using his personal friendship with Hitler, he was able to avoid problems from other Nazi leaders. Towards the end of the war, Hitler ordered Speer to destroy all factories, city utilities (water and electricity), and transportation means (railroads and bridges). Recognizing these would be needed in the post-war Germany, Speer began countermanding Hitler's orders for complete destruction. He would visit field commanders, arguing to spare a historic bridge or other important building, arguing that it would be "recaptured in the inevitable counterattack", and thus avoiding charges of defeatism (this charge was punishable by death). After the war, Speer was placed on trial at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg for war crimes of employing slave laborers. Breaking from other top Nazi defendants, Speer pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 20 years in Spandau prison. Upon his release in 1966, Speer published his memoirs, "Inside the Third Reich" (1970), considered the best portrait of conditions inside the Nazi hierarchy.

    Mar 19, 1905-Sep 1, 1981

  2. #2
    MorbidMolly Guest
    He Was Released.....wtf

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Brilliant post!

    I have been a student of WWII, and the Nazi regime all of my life. I never understood how an entire nation could be duped into so blindly following a maniac like Hitler.

    Speer was a genius who knew how to make the war machine run.

    I've read "Inside The Third Reich" by William Shirer and "Hitler" by John Toland.

    How could people as intelligent as this actually support something as evil as this?

  4. #4
    Jaxxx Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by JimC View Post
    Brilliant post!

    I have been a student of WWII, and the Nazi regime all of my life. I never understood how an entire nation could be duped into so blindly following a maniac like Hitler.

    Speer was a genius who knew how to make the war machine run.

    I've read "Inside The Third Reich" by William Shirer and "Hitler" by John Toland.

    How could people as intelligent as this actually support something as evil as this?
    I always wonder how people just blindly followed a crazy man, thank God he didn't succeed in what he intended.

  5. #5
    poppie Guest
    How did so many people "blindley" re-elect Bush to a second term? PollingReport.com states only 32% approved of Bush job performance.

  6. #6
    Jaxxx Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by poppie View Post
    How did so many people "blindley" re-elect Bush to a second term? PollingReport.com states only 32% approved of Bush job performance.
    You think we can get through one DAY without Bashing our President, especially on a Nazi forum..very poor taste, indeed.

  7. #7
    poppie Guest
    I guess we cannot.

  8. #8
    ComputerGuy Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by JimC View Post
    Brilliant post!

    I have been a student of WWII, and the Nazi regime all of my life. I never understood how an entire nation could be duped into so blindly following a maniac like Hitler.

    Speer was a genius who knew how to make the war machine run.

    I've read "Inside The Third Reich" by William Shirer and "Hitler" by John Toland.

    How could people as intelligent as this actually support something as evil as this?

    Two very good books.

  9. #9
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    the partys name gives a clue: nationalist-respected tradition
    socialist-disarmed center left parties
    german-national ethnicity recognized[not jewish-bolshevik-zionist,in other words]
    workers-strong and vibrant;i.e. not layabouts
    who was now left out? the party was all inclusive

    gen. ludendorff said they had been stabbed in the back,giving the lie authority from an unimpeachable source

    the war twisted the psyce of many

    the monarchy was wrested from the germans; no cromwell, washington or danton put the king in their place from within,hitler filled this vacuum.

    goebbels.evil marketing genius.
    Last edited by midnitelamp; 11-19-2007 at 10:51 AM. Reason: lots more,this is just cliffs' notes.

  10. #10
    laynesgrl Guest
    I can't believe he only received 20 years!!! Then he was able to profit from writing a book???

  11. #11
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    I would be interested to know whether he defended the Bauhaus or just let Hitler shut the place.
    I am a sick puppy....woof woof!!!
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  12. #12
    ShatteredMirror Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by JimC View Post
    Brilliant post!

    I have been a student of WWII, and the Nazi regime all of my life. I never understood how an entire nation could be duped into so blindly following a maniac like Hitler.

    Speer was a genius who knew how to make the war machine run.

    I've read "Inside The Third Reich" by William Shirer and "Hitler" by John Toland.

    How could people as intelligent as this actually support something as evil as this?
    You'd be surprised how emotionally cold and detached people of high formal intelligence can be.
    And how easy it can be for millions of people to become brainwashed and irrational when led by such people.

  13. #13
    Lisamarie Guest
    it was easy he sold them the idea of a perect idea of utopia and they bought it...some knew what was happening some just didnt care and others were killed for careing..I think with someone like Speer you have to ask yourself was he a bad person or someone caught up in something far bigger then himself.

  14. #14
    warmbear Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by JimC View Post
    Brilliant post!

    I have been a student of WWII, and the Nazi regime all of my life. I never understood how an entire nation could be duped into so blindly following a maniac like Hitler.

    Speer was a genius who knew how to make the war machine run.

    I've read "Inside The Third Reich" by William Shirer and "Hitler" by John Toland.

    How could people as intelligent as this actually support something as evil as this?
    It is easy.. Just look around you today, at all the people who have been caught up in nothing but rhetoric, with no substansitive basis.

    Also, it is easier when times are bad (such as they were before WWII, and such as they are at present)

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