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poison gas
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Learn how the invention of dynamite led, in part, to the global recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr., as a civil rights leader
The horrifying history of gas warfare
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poison gas

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Learn how the invention of dynamite led, in part, to the global recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr., as a civil rights leader
Learn how the invention of dynamite led, in part, to the global recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr., as a civil rights leader Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, which resulted in a fortune, his disillusionment, and the Nobel Prizes—one of which, the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, Martin Luther King, Jr., received for his role in the American civil rights movement. This video explores how Nobel's and Fritz Haber's lives provide evidence of the importance of the social responsibility of scientists.

Poison gas, also known as chemical weapons, refers to toxic agents designed to kill, injure, or incapacitate humans, animals, and plants through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion. These agents can be delivered via artillery shells, bombs, or other means.123

Historically, chemical weapons date back to antiquity, with early uses including poisoning water supplies and using burning substances in warfare. World War I saw the widespread use of chemical agents like chlorine and phosgene, leading to over a million casualties. Subsequent generations of chemical weapons, including nerve agents like sarin and VX, were developed during World War II and the Cold War.4156

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 1993 prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, aiming for their complete elimination. Despite this, some states and non-state actors have pursued chemical weapons programs, and international efforts continue to ensure compliance with the CWC.75

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9 Britannica Sources
  1. chemical weapon - Antiquity
  2. chemical weapon - Choking agents
  3. chemical weapon - Properties of chemical weapons
  4. Chemical Weapons Convention
  5. chemical weapon
  6. chemical weapon - On the battlefield
  7. chemical weapon - Banning chemical weapons
  8. poison gas
  9. gas warfare

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