Jayden's Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons of mass destruction, they come in many forms, some capable of eviscerating life on a global scale in an instant.  The most notable use was the Manhattan Project used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the end of the second world war in 1945. The detrimental purpose of these weapons has become more and more apparent in recent years, these intricate and diverse weapons may very well be the end of mankind and very well every known species on the planet.

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 

The term “Weapons of mass destruction” first coined in 1937, when in response to the bombings Guernica, Spain, Archbishop of Canterbury wrote, “Who can think at this present time without a sickening of the heart of the appalling slaughter, the suffering, the manifold misery brought by war to Spain and to China? Who can think without horror of what another widespread war would mean, waged as it would be with all the new weapons of mass destruction?”

The bombing of Guernica Spain, occurred on April 26th, 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Where the Spanish Nationalist Government gave the order for their allies, the German Airforce Condor Legion and the Italian Aviazione Legionaria. No actual “weapons of mass destruction” were technically used during this attack, at least not by today's standard. Originally it was thought that over 1000 deaths were a result, however it was later revealed that 153 died during the attack.  

Nuclear, Biological, Chemical

Weapons of Mass Destruction can be broken down into 4 broad categories; Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Missile.  Nuclear being an Atom bomb, capable of obliterating cities in seconds.  Biological is the use of bacteria and viruses, Chemical being similar to Biological but instead uses toxins.  Missile being close to Nuclear however not as destructive but more easily accessible.  

One of the most infamous variations of a weapon of mass destruction, and possibly the most dangerous is the biological weapon.  Biological Warfare is classified as “the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria,viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.” The bio-weapon is a immensely terrifying idea, the fact that if a faction that possessed a bioweapon decided to use said weapon, like poison the air with anthrax, a disease that in almost all cases causes death through a bacterial infection,  damages could be catastrophic. The use of such weapons can bring a nation to its knees through a pandemic.

Depicting the Nations alliances during the cold war

The cold war being the most prime example of how Weapons of mass destruction has changed how leading nations go to war.  After world war two, where the first nuclear weapon was used, there were tensions between the Western and Eastern nations. Typically thought as the United States of America and Russia, both threatening one another with the use of nuclear weapons. Basically stating that if the other nation were to fire their nuclear weapons that they would in tern fire theirs, this was called a nuclear deterrent. The over looming threat of mutual destruction. There was no actual firing of nuclear weapons during the cold war period. That is because if there was, there would be no world to record the events following.  The use of weapons of mass destruction make conflicts problematic between two countries that both possess them. However if there was a conflict that escalated to the point of actual use of these weapons, the world would be obliterated. This is a well known quote by Albert Einstein; “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”  Einstein is saying that the catastrophic repercussions of world war three would be enough to put humankind back thousands of years in terms of both society and technological means.  

It is sad to see yet another invention of humankind be used in such a counterproductive manner.  The fact that these weapons (Nuclear), were created in order to stop and prevent war will only lead to our own destruction through obliteration.  That if any country goes to war that they both posses such ruinous weapons that the world itself will be put at risk.

Some make the argument that if we do not develop weapons of mass destruction at this point, that the enemy whoever they may be, will.  That we as a species are past the point of return from using these chaotic weapons.  That in order to protect ourselves as individual nations we must advance in the field of weapons of mass destruction.  However, that in itself is where the problem lies, that we are forced to commit to the inevitable obliteration of the world because we cannot trust our fellow man to the point where we need to have such weapons. David Mitchell, makes an interesting comment, “Have you noticed, how countries call theirs 'sovereign nuclear deterrents,' but call the other countries' ones 'weapons of mass destruction'?’ That each country justifies their own greed when it comes to nuclear weapons by blaming other nations and condemning theirs.

In conclusion, the weapons we so seek to advance in order to protect ourselves, might very well be the reason that our  planet will become obsolete.





Works Cited

http://www.britannica.com/technology/weapon-of-mass-destruction

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2013/04/29/974/#273b60105bb1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_of_mass_destruction