3. The ‘Germania’ project and the new Reich Chancellery

Question 1

what could the Germania project be argued as?

Answer 1

It could be argued that Speer’s assignment of the ‘Germania’ project was the most significant example of his rise to prominence and close relationship to the ‘Fuhrer’

Question 2

what was Hitler’s dream?

Answer 2

dreamed of replacing the ‘old, corrupt and dysfunctional Berlin’ to a new and grand design, ‘Germania’ (to be opened in 1950), so that it would be a worthy capital for his thousand year Reich.

Question 3

when was Speer given the task of translating Hitler’s dream into a reality?

Answer 3

January 1937

Question 4

The project encountered resistance from?

Answer 4

Lord Mayor of Berlin

Question 5

Hitler’s response to resistance?

Answer 5

making Speer Inspector-General of Building,

Question 6

QUOTE by fest about power given to Speer from his appointment?

Answer 6

“Answerable to Hitler alone, Speer was in fact granted a kind of dictorial status”

Question 7

What did Speer’s appointment as Inspector-General of Building give?

Answer 7

giving Speer authority over the Lord Mayor, adding to Speer’s rise to prominence and increasing power

Question 8

designs of Germania?

Answer 8

included a wide central boulevard, an enormous triumphal central arch and many other grandeur designs

Question 9

what did vastness of city represent in Germania?

Answer 9

vastness of city represented will to conquer

Question 10

why did Germania project play sig part in Speer’s rise to prominence?

Answer 10

Even though the redevelopment of Berlin did not move beyond the drawing boards, the idea that Hitler placed such an enormous task in Speer’s hands demonstrates his rise to prominence especially within the Nazi Party

Question 11

what was another of his major projects?

Answer 11

the new Reich Chancellery 1938

Question 12

impact of new Reich Chancellery?

Answer 12

could be considered as a tool in his rise to prominence and one his greatest architectural achievement

Question 13

What was the new reich chanc meant to be?

Answer 13

The building was to be the ‘heart of the new continental empire’

Question 14

what was the new reich chanc designed so?

Answer 14

designed so that the visiting foreign powers would be overwhelmed and intimidated by the Chancellery’s size.

Question 15

only condition that Adolf Hitler set for his building?

Answer 15

“He who enters the Reich Chancellery must feel that he is in the presence of the Lords of the World.”

Question 16

Did Speer at his task of chancellery?

Answer 16

Speer excelled at this task, and with 8000 workers labouring day and night, completed it early.

Question 17

QUOTE for Speer’s excellence in completetion of new reich chancellory?

Answer 17

Fest: “he displayed the brilliant improvisational genius”

Question 18

What did Chancellery project earn Speer a reputation of?

Answer 18

reputation as a good organiser, which, combined with Hitler’s fondness for Speer played a major part in the architect becoming Germany’s Armaments Minister, hence resulting in his increasing rise to prominence.