Chemical weapons were first used during World War I as a means to overcome stalemates on the battlefield. Common chemical agents included chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas. While initially effective at killing enemies, chemical weapons caused painful deaths and long term health effects. The usage of chemical weapons contaminated environments, crops, soil, and harmed both soldiers and civilians. By 1918, their usage was widespread but less effective as countermeasures were developed. Today, chemical weapons are internationally outlawed due to their indiscriminate and inhumane effects.

2. Chemical WarfareSeo Young MyaengBlock G

3. Chemical WarfareUsage of toxic chemicals as weaponsSupport to overcome stalemateCommonly used:ChlorinePhosgeneMustard(First World War.com)SFGate.com

4. IntroductionFirst used by the French: tear gas (Wikipedia)Second Battle of Ypres: debut of poison gas (First World War.com)clipart

5. The Poison GasesChlorine Gas: first poison gas usedPotentially deadlyCauses violent coughs and chokesPhosgene gas:Less coughing but causes more inhalingDelayed effectsMustard Gas:Odorless chemicalInternal and external blistersContaminated soils(First World War.com)

6. Effects - HumansEffectively killed enemiesPainful deathsDeformationWikipediaAttacked enemies and allies, soldiers and civilians(First World War.com)A soldier suffering from the effects of mustard gas

7. Effects - GeographyContaminated the environmentCropsDust in the soilFood contaminationCiviliansDeformations of babiesNoblis

8. UsagesBy 1918 – wide usage (First World War.com)Less effective as time wentCame up with counter measuresToo many issues (Wikipedia)Today: outlawedWikipedia

9. Works Cited"Chemical Warfare." Wikipedia. 2010. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_warfare>."Dispersal and Fate of Chemical Warfare Agents." Noblis. N.p., 2010. Web. 9 Sep 2010. <http://www.noblis.org/MISSIONAREAS/NSI/BACKGROUNDONCHEMICALWARFARE/CHEMICALWARFAREAGENTSANDCHEMICALWEAPONS/Pages/DispersalChemicalWarfareAgents.aspx>. "The Poisonous Legacy of the Chemical Arms Race." SFGate.com. N.p., 2010. Web. 9 Sep 2010. <http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-02-05/books/17281658_1_chemical-weapons-nerve-agents-geneva-protocol>. "Weapons of War - Poison Gas." First World War.com. First World War.com, n.d. Web. 9 Sep 2010. <http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm>.