successes and failures of Speer 1942-1945 Flashcards
In February 1942, Albert Speer was appointed as what?
Minister for Armaments
Upon being appointed as Minister of Armaments, in April 1942, what did Speer set up to manage the economy?
A central planning board, in which Speer was the director of
As well as his role as the director of the central planning board, what else helped Speer achieve his plans?
His close relationship with Hitler, as it allowed him to cut through the mass of conflicting interests in order to achieve what he wanted, as well as having the fear and power factor of Hitler by his side
Name a success and failure of Speer’s ability to exploit Germany’s resources.
Success- as director of the planning board, he was able to more effectively coordinate
Failure- weren’t able to exploit all of the land Germany occupied during that period (countries they had invaded)
Name 3 ways Speer was able to increase the efficiency of labour in Germany?
- employing more women in arms factories
- used the concentration camp workers more effectively
- prevented skilled workers from being conscripted to fight
As a result of Speer’s first six months in power, how much did production in ammunition, tanks and arms increase by?
Ammunition rose by 97%
Tanks production increased by 25%
Arms production went up by 59%
Why did allied bombing slow down production?
As the resources now had to be used to re-build factories etc.
What (which was still continuing from the 1939-1941 economic period) further slowed production during 1942-1945?
ongoing conflict between local Nazi leaders (Gauleilers), the SS, the army and now Speer
Germany’s arms peaked when? and was well above or below its full potential?
It peaked n August 1944 buy was well BELOW it potiential
How much larger was Germany’s war production in late 1944 (its peak) in comparison to 1942
it had tripled in size
Between 1944 and 1945 how much did Germany’s tank production fall by?
In 1944, they produced 19,000 tanks but in 1945 Germany only produced 3,900 tanks
How did Germany’s tank production at it’s peak in 1944 to compare to the Allie’s and soviet union’s production?
Germany-19,000 (in 1944)
Britain-4,600 (at their peak in 1942, they made 8,600)
America - 17,600 (their peak was in 1943 at 29,500 tanks)
USSR- 29,000 (1944 was their peak year)
In 1944, how did Germany’s aircraft production compare to the Allies and USSR ?
Germany- 39,600
Britain- 26,500
USA- 96,300
USSR- 40,000
