The Daily Think

“So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own”

Stan Lee created the charactery of Dr. Abraham Erskine who defected from Germany as Hitler and the Nazis quickly seized power. Erskine made his way into America’s secret service where he proceeded to create the super soldier serum and process to enhance an American to fight the forces of evil. But before the secret sauce could be revealed, Erskine was killed by a Hydra agent while Steve Rogers went on to prove his process a success and stop the Red Skull from launching his Hydra superweapons against the world, before plunging into the cold icy depths of the Atlantic.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW CAP BY NOW, YOU MAY NEVER NEVER NEVER KNOW HIM

Captain America has captivated audiences for decades, representing the epitome of heroism and justice. While Captain America’s origins lie in the realm of fiction, there are intriguing parallels that can be drawn between the Super Soldier Serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America and the drugs employed by German scientists feeding their soldiers Pervitin, a basic methamphetamine. In the fictional world of Marvel Comics, it had stunning effects as Captain America saved the earth multiple times, but in the brutal realities of World War II, the drugs gave the Germans an advantage early in the war and even beyond that as the effects drove their soldiers bloodlust and eventual addictions and dependency.

BRIEFEST OF HISTORY ON WORLD WAR II CHEMISTRY
One of the more scary and fascinating aspects of World War II was that both the Allies and Axis powers sought ways to gain an edge in combat through the use of performance enhancing drugs. The Germans, in particular, explored the use of various substances to enhance their soldiers’ physical and mental capabilities. Pervitin, which contained methamphetamine, and other stimulants to combat fatigue, increase alertness, and boost endurance. The British themselves provided Benzadrine and Pervitin as well and were able to hold off Rommel in North Africa, scoring a decisive victory but paying a strong price. Similarly, the Super Soldier Serum in the Captain America comics aimed to create an enhanced soldier with superior physical attributes and heightened cognitive functions.

WARTIME DRUGS ARE NEITHER GROOVY OR FAR OUT MAN

The use of drug enhancements among German soldiers and the Super Soldier Serum in the Captain America narrative share a common goal: to maximize the soldiers’ performance and combat effectiveness. By utilizing these substances, soldiers were expected to exhibit heightened strength, endurance, and mental acuity on the battlefield. Both approaches sought to create an advantage by pushing the limits of human capabilities. One other unintended consequence of the drugs on Nazi soldiers was the fact that it made their actions addictive, from brutal killing that we still can’t comprehend to blind loyalty to Hitler. The Super Soldier Serum also instilled in Captain America a strong patriotism to represent the red white and blue against overwhelming odds. Although Steve Rogers himself was proud to be an American, it seemed to be even more enhanced after he became Captain America.

CAPTAIN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE WONDERED ABOUT THE ETHICS OF THIS

The use of drugs on German soldiers and the fictional creation of Captain America raise significant ethical concerns. In both cases, the pursuit of enhanced soldiers involved potentially unethical methods and the exploitation of human subjects. More deadlier and addictive drugs were tested on the Jews in Concentration Camps and if passed given to the soldiers. But many of the failed drugs resulted in death and illness for the human test subjects. A strong reminder of the brutalities of Nazi Germany. German soldiers who consumed drugs like Pervitin faced severe physical and psychological consequences, including addiction, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior. Although the advantages of using what amounts to drinking a case of Red Bull per day could help you invade Poland, France, and Russia, it could only lead to heavy dependency and addiction as many soldiers suffered from withdrawal and were begging their commanding officers and families back home for more Pervitin.

Similarly, in the Captain America storyline, the experiments conducted on Steve Rogers were not without risks and ethical questions. The process involved human experimentation and potentially compromising the well-being of the subject. While the intent was to create a super soldier for the noble cause of defeating evil, the means employed were ethically questionable.

WORLD WAR II CONTINUES TO TEACH US LESSONS
The parallels between the German soldiers and the Super Soldier Serum in Captain America’s storyline serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding the pursuit of enhanced soldiers. These stories highlight the potential dangers of compromising human dignity, moral principles, and the well-being of individuals in the pursuit of military advantage.

Moreover, the narratives of Captain America and the German soldiers’ drug use offer opportunities for reflection on the consequences of such actions. They prompt us to consider the potential long-term physical and psychological harm, the erosion of ethical boundaries, and the importance of upholding human rights and dignity in times of conflict.
One of the storylines within Captain America lore revolved around Steve Rogers desire to free his body of the Super Soldier Serum. He extricated it and became less stronger than his Super Soldier version, and had to retrain his body to keep up with being on the Avengers. Steve Rogers was strong enough to do so and proved that the hero he was while on the Super Soldier drugs was also the hero he could be without them.

SIMILAR YES, BUT NOT EXACTLY THE SAME THING

While the character of Captain America and the drug use employed by World War II soldiers share similarities in their aim to enhance soldiers’ abilities, it is essential to recognize the inherent ethical implications and unintended consequences involved. The stories of Captain America and the German soldiers serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the importance of maintaining ethical principles and respect for human dignity, even in the pursuit of military advantage.