Albert Speer Speech about German Wartime Economy- 6 October 1943

Albert Speer is perhaps one of the most interesting men of the Third Reich. Initially an architect, Speer designed and built many prestige projects before the war, such as the NSDAP rally ground in Nuremberg or the new Chancellory in Berlin. During the war, however, Speer became responsible for the German economy. After the death of armament minister Fritz Todt in February 1942, Speer took over his ministry, and drastically increased armament output. This so called “armament miracle“ is being questioned by historians today, and the general consent is that Speer had little to do with the increase in armament production. Despite being loyal to Hitler, Speer refused to carry out his Nero-order, which contained destroying all infrastructure in Germany when the Allies reached German soil in 1945. Speer was tried in Nuremberg after the War, and was sentenced to 20 years imprisoment. It is now generally assumed that Speer lied in court and portrayed himself as an opponent to the NS-regime