Modern History - History is about winners -

[pennyelson]

Can anyone help with this essay below - I would like to improve the mark. Apparently the style is too narrative?

Modern History - "History is about winners" How accurate is this statement in relation to the personality you have studied? (Albert Speer)
To say history is about winners is somewhat accurate in regards to Albert Speer. Speer was a close associate of Hitler and known for his work as minister for armaments and war production throughout the second half of World War II. Although Germany did not win the war, Speer himself can be seen as having a personal victory, he prolonged the war as minister, had the ability to foresee German losing the war and perhaps, most notably convinced allied forces at the Nuremberg trials of his lack of knowing about the holocaust. Speer was successful and efficient throughout the war and although the end result was not desirable it is accurate to say he had a small, yet lasting win for himself.

In 1942, following the death of Dr Traatt, Speer took over as Minister for Armaments and War Production. Although seemingly unsuited to this job being an architect, Speer proved his ability to organise and solves? Economic and strategic issues. Within the first six months, artillery production increased to 97%, Speer had double Hitler’s command and continued to increase war production and is widely known to have prolonged the war for an additional two years without Speer and his efficiency, it is unlikely that Hitler would have been able to continue as strongly and would have faced defeat much sooner.  Although Speer’s great success, it was too late in the war to truly change around for Germany, yet this had lasting impact on people’s options of Speer as his loyalty to Hitler and profound skill enable Germany to continue fight. Despite seeming like a loss, Speer though of this as a victory, as he proved his talents and also kept war going. Speer’s actions also gave the Nazi party hope, which was false, yet still kept the spark of Nationalism alive. It is fair to say Speer’s work as Minister bolstered a surge of Nationalism and perseverance and can therefore be viewed as a triumph for Speer at the time.
However, this nationalistic sense of pride and loyalty soon simmered? Out as in 1944, with war efforts failing, Speer was not blind to the fact that Germany would lose. As a last attempt, Hitler called for a ‘scorched earth policy’ in which the Nazis were to destroy industrial facilities, military equipment and anything that the advancing allied forces may consider useful. Speer was shocked and transferred loyalty from Hitler to the future of Germany. He spent the days after this order travelling and using his authority to circumvent Hitler’s instructions. Speer was aware of the loss Germany was faced with, yet saw Hitler leading the country into catastrophe and devastation. Although again, seemingly a loss, Speer’s self-assurance that he was doing the right thing lead him to believe that it was another small victory for himself, that he was loyal yet firm in his morals and can accurately described as attempting disobey orders from his once companion in the name of preserving Germany’s future.

Perhaps Speer’s greatest achievement, was convincing allied forces at the Nuremburg trials in 1946 of his innocence in regards to the holocaust. His claims of his lack of knowledge and involvement appeared so genuine that there was truth found in his words. Admitting he was present at the Paris? Conference, where Himmler talked of the ‘final solution’ and extermination of the Jews with direct reference to Speer, his insistence? Of leaving before Himmler’s speech likely saved him from execution following the trials. Speer’s deception of the judges portrayed him as an apolitical technocrat just fulfilling his duties and being swept up in popular ideology and blindly following Hitler. However, Speer was an intelligent manipulator, which saw him only get 20 years in prison instead of life and earned him the title of the “Good Nazi?” Speer’s manipulation and deception is convincingly seen as a victory, to be able to live, while others were executed, his ability to read situations and be utterly convincing earned him a triumph at the Nuremburg trials and saved his life.

Whilst the Nazi party will never be considered winners, Albert Speer’s unwavering intelligence and talent allows him to be seen as victorious despite Germany’s defeat. History does no always reflect winning, nor is it always made by victory, yet Speer’s greatest defeat, the fall of the third Reich.  Winning and history do not always go hand in hand, however Speer’s small victories in the face of the adversity of Germany was facing, shows why Speer made history and is a large part of the Third Reich.