The Life of Albert Speer

The Life of Albert Speer

Albert Speer was born in Mannheim, Germany on the 19 March 1905, he was the son of an architect. He grew up in the town of Heidelberg in his early years, it has been said that his childhood was not one of happiness. Following in his father's footsteps, Speer studied architecture at the Institute of Technology in Berlin-Charlotteburg. He attained his licence in 1927 and became the assistant to Professor Heinrich Tessenow.

Speer went on to marry his wife, margarete Webber, without consent from his family, as she was of lower class than him.

Speer's affiliation with the Nazi party did not begin until 1931 when he became a member of the NSDAP (National Socialist German workers Party). Recognising his talents, not only as an architect but as determined man, he was offered a succession of tasks for the party, such as the redesigning of Joseph Geobbels's official residence and the planning of the Citizens of Berlin celebrations on the 1st of May. News of his great skill reached the party leader, Adolf Hitler, who soon personally, began to give Speer assignments.

Speer, after becoming acquainted with Hitler, became close friends, and he was accepted into Hitler's inner circle. In 1934, Speer succeeded Paul Ludwig Troost, Hitler's architect, who had died early in the same year.

Shortly after Speer was given two major tasks: Draw up a plan for a new Berlin and create a centre for conventions in Nuremberg. Both Hitler and Speer, jointly planned the building of the new capital, and in 1937, Speer was officially appointed the Inspector General of construction of the Reich's capital. His department was responsible, among other things, for the apartments, for which the Berlin Jews were evicted from...

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...r Gotowicki in addition comments on the lack of hygiene, due to the lack of facilities, "The dishes out of which they ate were also used as toilets because they were too tired or too weak from hunger to get up and go outside."

The conditions outlined in this report are appalling and obviously in violation of crimes against humanity. Speer who was instrumental in the implementation of forced labour, and also the head of all munition production, should, and was responsible for the Violation of crimes against humanity, as well as those concerning the use of prisoners in war production.

It can be seen through this collaboration of evidence that Speer was aware of the labourers and prisoners being used illegally as workers. And also the disgusting conditions which these people had to live in. This man is surely responsible for the crimes for which he is charged.