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Chemical & Biological Warfare

v1.1.1 / TOC / 01 jun 03 / greg goebel / public domain

* The 20th century saw the introduction of many new technologies for warfare. Among the most controversial were poison gases, and pathogens and biotoxins used as weapons.

There is a widespread detestation of chemical and biological warfare (CBW), but despite many attempts to limit the spread of such weapons, the ease with which they can be developed and their sheer destructive potential make them attractive to any government that wants to obtain a military advantage.

It is likely, then, that such weapons will be a significant factor in the 21st century. This document provides a short history of CB warfare and discusses the current state of affairs.

[1.0] A History Of Chemical Warfare (1)

• [1.1] 1914-1915: THE BEGINNINGS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE / CHLORINE GAS
  
• [1.2] 1915-1916: ALLIED RESPONSE / PHOSGENE
  
• [1.3] 1916-1918: THE LIVENS PROJECTOR / MUSTARD GAS
  
• [1.4] 1918-1934: CW IN THE AFTERMATH
  
• [1.5] 1934-1940: NERVE GAS / REVIVAL OF GAS WARFARE
  

[2.0] A History Of Chemical Warfare (2)

• [2.1] 1940-1945: CW IMPASSE
  
• [2.2] 1945-1970: CW DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST
  
• [2.3] 1970-2000: CW IN THE BALANCE
  

[3.0] A History Of Biological Warfare (1)

• [3.1] 1932-1942: THE ORIGINS OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE / UNIT 731
  
• [3.2] 1942-1945: BW DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST
  
• [3.3] 1928-1945: BW DEVELOPMENT IN THE USSR
  

[4.0] A History Of Biological Warfare (2)

• [4.1] 1945-1969: BW DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST
  
• [4.2] 1945-1992: BW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOVIET UNION
  
• [4.3] IRAQI BW DEVELOPMENT & THE GULF WAR
  
• [4.4] THE BW THREAT / THE CONQUEST OF IRAQ
  

[5.0] Chemical & Biological Warfare In The 21st Century

• [5.1] CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM
  
• [5.2] AMERICAN POLICY RESPONSE
  
• [5.3] CB WEAPONS AND ARMS LIMITATION
  
• [5.4] FOOTNOTE: THE DIRTY BOMB
  
• [5.5] COMMENTS, SOURCES, & REVISION HISTORY