Chemical Warfare the Twentieth Century

Chemical Warfare

The twentieth century has witnessed some of the violent battles in the history of mankind. The two world wars followed by Vietnam and the gulf wars have resulted in largescale destruction and loss of life than ever before. Technological advancements during the early 20th century saw the advent of a new form of warfare -- the chemical warfare. In fact, the First World War (1914 -1918) was even called the chemist's war, as it was the first time the world saw the devastating consequences of chemical warfare. The use of chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas during this war ushered in an era of new tactics in the battlefield that threatened both military and civilians alike, creating a global threat of weapons of mass destruction. Realizing the destructive potential of these chemical weapons, the chemical weapons convention (CWC), a multilateral disarmament treaty was opened in Jan 1993 and today, more than 183 nations are signatories to the accord. [Johan de Wittlaan, (2010)] A brief overview of chemical weapons development and its deployment in the major wars of the 20th century will provide an insight into the serious threat these chemical munitions pose to the world, as nations continue to be embroiled in the 'insanity of war'.

Chemical Weapons (Different Types)

Chemical weaponry has evolved significantly since the time of the First World War when they were first used. Chemicals weapons are broadly defined as "man-made, supertoxic chemicals that can be dispersed as a gas, vapor, liquid, aerosol (a suspension of microscopic droplets), or adsorbed onto a fine talcum-like powder to create 'dusty' agents," [Gerard J. Fitzgerald, (2008)] Today more than 70 different chemicals have been labeled as chemical weapons [WILPF, (2005)] falling into four main categories namely -- 1) Chocking agents, 2) Blood agents, 3) Blister agents and 4) Nerve agents. [Wisconsin Project, (2010)]

Chocking agents, as the name suggests, cause respiratory distress and bring death due to asphyxia. Chocking agents such as Chlorine and Phosgene were the main chemical weapons used in the First World War. In fact, Phosgene was responsible for more than 80% of the poison gas deaths in that war. The very first incidence of chemical weapons use that is recorded in the history of warfare is in the battle of Ypres, in Belgium. In this battle, Germany tested Chlorine gas on the allied forces comprising mainly of French and Algerian soldiers by releasing over 160 tons of chlorine gas in the trenches. The results were devastating. Within minutes, the chlorine gas killed more than 1000 troops and seriously affected more than 4000 troops giving a surprisingly swift victory for the Germans. [Gerard J. Fitzgerald, (2008)]

Blood Agents are chemical compounds that destroy the red blood cells that are essential to transport oxygen. Hydrogen cyanide and Cyanogen Chloride are two important examples of Blood agents. Blood agents cause rapid breathing, nausea, unconsciousness and death. Germans used Hydrogen cyanide in World War 2 and there are even reports of its use in the Iraq-Iran wars in the 1980's. [IDPH] Blister agents are those chemical compounds that cause burns and blisters in the skin upon exposure. Mustard gas, Lewisite and nitrogen mustard are some of the main examples of blister agents. Mustard gas was used in the First World War and even in the Iran-Iraq wars. Unlike the blood agents, blister agents mostly cause injury and death rate is usually low. Typical symptoms include blisters on skin, edema, itching, vomiting and in rare cases death by asphyxiation. [Wisconsin Project, (2010)]

Last but not the least is the Nerve Agents such as Sarin, Soman, Tabun, VX etc. These are the deadliest forms of chemical weapons and usually work by interfering with bodily enzymes that are required for the proper functioning of the somatic nervous system. These agents work by quickly paralyzing the body leading to death by asphyxiation. Some of the nerve agents such as VX and Tabun are also highly persistent in that their effects last in the field for longer periods of time. [Wisconsin Project, (2010)]

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

The 1925 Geneva protocol prohibited the use of poisonous gases in warfare but flagrant violations of the accord by various nations is clearly evident when we glance through the wars that took place in the previous century. Starting with the Second World War, the Vietnam War, and the more recent Gulf wars, the use of chemical weapons has continued in sheer violation of the Geneva treaty. [Geneva Protocol, (1925)] The loopholes and the reservations in the Geneva protocol implied that the threat of chemical warfare was always looming large. It is only pertinent here to point out that not only the so called rogue states (Iran, Iraq, Korea) engaged in chemical warfare but also the U.S. engaged in chemical warfare. The Infamous Vietnam war and the indiscriminate use of defoliants such as 'Agent Orange' and 'Agent Blue' have not only destroyed the vegetation in South Vietnam but have also drastically affected the health of Vietnamese. Scientific evidence has confirmed that the blood levels of Dioxin (the toxic compound in Agent orange) in South Vietnamese population is up to 135 times higher compared to people from other parts of the nation not exposed to the chemical spraying. The consequences are severe health defects and deformities among babies, high prevalence of various forms of cancers in the areas that were sprayed with the harmful herbicide. [Anne Maria Nicholson]