4. Reaction to Hitler’s ‘scorched earth’ policy in 1945 Flashcards
what did Speer resist?
defiant act of resistance to Hitler’s ‘scorched earth’ policy
what was his resistance of the policy viewed as?
viewed favourably at Nuremberg, however Speer’s motives are widely debated by historians
what was the scorched earth policy?
decreed that all of Germany’s and the occupied territories’ industrial plants, gas works, water works, electrical plants and telephone exchanges were to be destroyed
why was such policy made?
As Hitler wanted to make it impossible for the invading Allies to gain access to German infrastructure and set up military bases in German territory
the scorched earth policy would have affected the…?
occupied western countries as well as Germany
his resistance contributed on?
on an international level, as he resisted Hitler’s order of the obliteration of farms and buildings
Speer stated that their destruction meant…?
‘eliminating all further possibility for the German people to survive’.
why could he not see the sense in destroying the industry and public utilities?
Considering the war to be lost, Speer could not see the sense in destroying the industry and public utilities that Europe would need in the coming post-war period
What did Speer allegedly spend the remaining few months of the war secretly doing?
secretly persuading Gauleiters, who were the second highest Nazi Party paramilitary rank, and industry representatives to preserve railways, bridges and industry
significance of this?
Therefore it is evident that Speer played a profound role on his national and international history as he somewhat saved the people from greater post-war devastation
controversy with Speer’s assassination plot of Hitler?
Schmidt questions the validity of this claim as a month later he pledged absolute loyalty to Hitler
Historiography: What does Sereny believe?
Speer was genuinely concerned for the German people and re-evaluated his view of Hitler when he was given the order
Historiography: Van der Vat his changed his views only to?
serve his own interests with the knowledge he would soon be tried.
