Biological and Chemical Weapons
How Have They Impacted Our Society?
A British Sihk Soldier putting a gas mask on his horse. World War 2
Vocabulary
Chemical Weapons- Chemicals that are weaponized that are used to kill or injure life forms.
Biological Weapons- Biological organisms like bacteria or viruses that are weaponized to kill or injure life forms
Rules of Engagement- Rules set up by a high power in society of warfare to protect people/territory that shouldn't be involved.
The Rules
After World War One ended, the world agreed to enact an end of using Biological and Chemical Weapons. This happened with the Geneva Protocol in 1925 banning in their words " asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and bacteriological methods of warfare". This was one of the first times in history when the world came together to agree upon one problem.
World War One
Chemical Weapons of War were used very frequently in World War 1. The first gas attack in World War 1 happened on April 22nd, 1915 about a year after the war started in 1914. It was during the battle of Ypres by the Germans facing the French. Two French Divisions were all destroyed.
Demographics
Casualties: 1% of all World War 1 Deaths
Tear Gas: 0% of Deaths by Chemicals
Chlorine: Around 1,100 deaths
Phosgene: 85% of Deaths by Chemicals
Mustard Gas: 2%-3% of deaths by chemicals
Biological Weapons
Examples of Major Biological Weapon Agents
10 Terrifying Bio Weapons
Chemical Weapons
Examples of Chemical Weapons
Recent Attacks
January 23rd, 2015
Islamic Militants attacked Kurdish Soldiers with Chlorine Gas
March 27th- April 22nd 2014
Syrian Militants attacked Civilians with Chlorine and suspected other gasses
August 21st, 2013
Syrian Militants attacked Civilians with Sarin Nerve Gas
Fighting Bio-Chemical Weapons
1925 Geneva Protocol
This was the official international agreement by all higher powers to stop the use and distribution of Biological and Chemical Weapons of War
What Happens if There is an attack in our area?
- Unlikely to occur in our area
-vacate to a red cross facility or shelter as soon as possible
- own a gas mask