Blitzed

01The Rise of the Third Reich: A Sober Beginning

In the tumultuous aftermath of World War I, Germany was a nation grappling with economic and political instability. Amidst this chaos, a young Austrian named Adolf Hitler began to rise to prominence within the German Workers' Party, which was later renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or the Nazi Party. Hitler, a teetotaler himself, advocated for a clean, sober lifestyle, which he believed was integral to the Aryan ideal. In 1920, Hitler outlined the 25-point program of the Nazi Party, which included a commitment to public health and a rejection of substances that could harm the Aryan race. This was a direct response to the rampant drug and alcohol abuse that had become prevalent in post-war Germany. The Nazi party's stance on sobriety was not just a political strategy, but also a reflection of Hitler's personal beliefs. He was known to abstain from alcohol and was vehemently against smoking. When Hitler ascended to the position of Chancellor in 1933, the Nazi party began implementing their policies on a national scale. They launched anti-smoking campaigns, promoted physical fitness and healthy eating, and even regulated the alcohol content in beer. The Reich Health Office, under the leadership of Leonardo Conti, initiated a series of measures aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. These included restrictions on advertising and the introduction of non-alcoholic beer. However, the Nazi party's stance on drugs was not entirely consistent. While they publicly condemned drug use, they also recognized the potential military applications of certain substances. The Wehrmacht, the German armed forces, began experimenting with a methamphetamine-based drug called Pervitin. This drug was used to enhance the performance of soldiers, allowing them to stay awake for extended periods and fight with increased aggression. In 1938, the Temmler pharmaceutical company began mass-producing Pervitin. It was marketed as a miracle drug that could cure a range of ailments, from depression to fatigue. By the time World War II began, Pervitin was being widely used by the German military, despite the Nazi party's public stance against drug use. In conclusion, the rise of the Third Reich was marked by a complex relationship with drugs and alcohol. While the Nazi party promoted a clean, sober lifestyle as part of their Aryan ideal, they also exploited the potential of drugs for military purposes. This dichotomy reflects the broader contradictions within the Nazi regime, which espoused ideals of racial purity and health while engaging in acts of extreme violence and destruction. The sober beginning of the Third Reich, therefore, was not only a reflection of Hitler's personal beliefs but also a strategic move to control the populace and enhance military performance.