To effectively assess the significance Albert Speer had in Hitler's plan for World War Two we must look at
what Speer accomplished in regards o the war effort. Firstly, it is important to realise that it is unclear
among historians what Hitler's 'plans' actually were. Pluralists believe Hitler wanted a war-but had no
fixed plan, he was, instead, an opportunist. Structuralists believe he had no long-term plan, and responded
merely to pressure from domestic crisis' (hence there was limited economic and military preparation).
Internationalists believe he did have a major war planned, we need only look to his diplomatic and
militaristic aggression of the 1930's for proof, and his anti-Bolshevik and anti-Semitic sentiments.
However, it would appear that Hitler hope to gain power over Europe largely by skillful strategy - timing
was essential. He hoped to build up Germany's strength quicker than any other country and through rapid
mobilisation defeat his enemies by overwhelming them separately with lightning campaigns.
Mussolini (left) and Hitler sent their armies to N...
Ernst Jünger in between David Lloyd George and Ad...
Albert Speer defied Adolf Hitler's order to destro...Whether this
was planned in detail previously, or worked out along the way, remains to be seen.
In the early years of the war, and prior to it, Speer was only Hitler's architect, and would not become
Armaments Minister until 1942. His role as an Architect was of a tool for pro-war propaganda. His deigns
(including the Olympics) gained recognition for the Germany, and provided them with further proof of th e
superiority if their race. In this way, prior to the war Speer helped to dismantle public resistance to war by
removing any moral qualms about social Darwinism, and in the early years helped to keep up public
support of the war, and moral. High moral would in turn keep the workers efficient, going hand in hand
with Goebbels to drum up support for the total war effort and the...