Benchmark 1, Objective 2
4) Give an historical example
of the use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Describe their overall
effects including casualties.
Children that suffered from birth defects
due to Agent Orange.
Introduction
Vietnam War
There are many types of weapons that can be used during war to cause massive destruction. Weapons such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons can wipe out large populations of people. During the Vietnam War, both chemical and biological weapons were used to administer mass casualties. Napalm, tear gas, and Agent Orange are three examples of what was used during the Vietnam War to destroy the enemies.
Observations
There are many ways that chemical and biological weapons can harm humans. These warfare agents can injure anyone through the skin, eyes, and by inhalation. Chemical and biological weapons can come in many forms such as dry powder, gas, liquid, and aerosol spray; which are the most common (Narvaez). The effectiveness of these weapons are determined by various conditions. The weather, wind, amount of concentration, and time length of exposure are all factors which can cause the effects to be superficial or life threatening.
Napalm
is a powder made up of naphthenic and palmitic acids (Frances). This powder is mixed with gasoline to
thicken it, resulting in a jelly like gasoline. The fuel is then used in incendiary bombs and flamethrowers
for the ground troops in war. When
a napalm bomb is dropped from a plane, the bomb ignites and bursts resulting in
the splattering of burning napalm all over a large area. It burns violently, sticking to
anything it touches. Napalm kills
by burning the human flesh and also by suffocation (The Hutchinson
Encyclopedia).
Tear
gas was another method used against enemies during the Vietnam War. There are three types of tear gas,
which are commonly used even today by law enforcements. CS (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile), CN (chloroacetophenone), often known as
Mace, and pepper spray, which is made of up crushed chilies mixed with a type
of oil similar to corn oil. Tear
gas was used in the form of grenades and aerosol cans. Once launched, the liquid would turn
into an aerosol. CN and CS are
irritants, which cause irritation in the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth,
eyes and lungs. This causes
sneezing, coughing, and tearing to occur.
The most widespread use of chemical and biological weapon during the Vietnam War was Agent Orange a military code name for weed killer. This agent would kill crop plants and cause the leaves of trees to fall off, revealing any hiding places of the enemy. Agent Orange was mixed with two types of herbicides, 2,4-D-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2, 4,5-T-trichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (Agent Orange). It also contained a substance called Dioxin, which is poisonous to animals and humans. Agent Orange is linked to two types of skin diseases and three types of cancers. Agent Orange not only causes harm to adults, but adults with it can give birth to a baby with defects, such as the children in the pictures (Figure 1, 2).
Discussion/ analysis
The Vietnam War cost many lives of soldiers and civilians. One million North Vietnamese soldiers, and 200,000 South Vietnamese soldiers were dead (Vietnam War). 500,000 civilians were killed. 56,000 US soldiers were killed and 303,000 of them were injured. 75 million liters of herbicide was used. 20% of Vietnam’s agricultural lands, and 50% of Vietnam’s forestlands were destroyed (Vietnam War). The massive damage from this war was unbelievable. Not only did thousands and thousands of people die, but also people were still being affected in many ways even after the war was over. The result of this war was devastating as so many innocent people’s lives were changed forever.
Pictures
Young boy handicap resulted from effects of Agent Orange. HOANG DINH NAM, VIETNAM-US-CHEMICAL. , Agence
France Presse, 03-03-2002.
Children that
suffered from birth defects due to Agent Orange.
Soldier who suffered from Agent Orange.
References
1. "Agent Orange." The Columbia
Electronic Encyclopedia.
© 1994, 2000, 2001, 2002 on Factmonster.
© 2002 Family Education Network.
20 Jan. 2003 <http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0802726.html>.
2.
Narvaez
, Felicia . Nobelist tells Med College audience about biological warfare's
history .
Retrieved november 04, 1999,
3. (1997) Vietnam War. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2003,
4.
(2000)
Vietnam War.
Retrieved Jan. 20, 2003,
5. Frances M. Lussier, Napalm. , World Book
Encyclopedia (2002), 01-01-2002.
6.Author not available, napalm. , The Hutchinson Encyclopedia 2000, 01-01-2000.