The Legacy of Chemical Warfare Before World War I, chemical warfare was relatively unheard of and looked upon as taboo when using it in war or combat. It was not until the attack of the Germans did soldiers become aware of the deadly effects of chemical weapons such as Mustard gas and Phosgene gas. After the Germans, the French began to develop chemical weapons, then leading to the whole world becoming involved in this new type of warfare. But it was not the short term effects that were so future altering, it would be the long term effects. Warfare sciences began to change instantly as there was a new focus on chemical weapons, leading to world changing weapons such as nuclear bombs. Secondly, the introduction of chemical weapons led to a complete change in fighting styles and tactics. Wars were now …show more content…
Chemical warfare instilled a sense of fear in fighters that had not been existent before, soldiers had no idea how to defend themselves. This new way of fighting the course of wars to come as warfare styles altered greatly and technology became implemented increasingly so.
During and The Great War, soldiers would camp out in trenches for days at a time, fighting the enemy who was waiting just of the other side of the clearing. After the introduction of poisonous gasses, this warfare tactic became outdated, quickly. Soldiers would throw canisters of the poisonous gas, launch it across the field, or release it into the wind to cause damage to their enemies. When chemical warfare was first used during World War I, soldiers became extremely concerned for their lives as they had no idea how to defend against these gasses. They were originally instructed to urinate onto a cloth and wrap it around their mouths as the acidity would neutralize