Class Work 2; term 4

1. Compare and contrast the two accounts of being attacked by gas. How might you account for the differences?

-One reason for the differences in these two accounts is that the first account is from an Iraqi's perspective, whereas the second account is from an American perspective. The Iraqi source talks about the pain that was felt, and how badly she suffered. The decriptions that are given are very intense, and it seems so shocking to read about. While this person is talking about hwo she was a victim of the gas attacks, the other source is talking about being one of the soldiers who were starting the gas attacks. In the first source, the main deaths were with friends and family members, and this person mourned greatly over the loss. However, the main loss in the other source appeared to be animals, and they don't seem as mournful. This source says that there in no disctinction between a friend or an enemy when it comes to death, both burials are treated the same. Thus, death is a huge contrast between these two sources.

2. What can you surmise about the goals of the Iraqi forces? What were the goals of the German army?

-It seems as though the Iraqi forces were there, unwillingly, because they were ordered to be there by their leaders. At the end of the first source, the person says that she hopes her leaders are blinded by god. However, it appears as though the German soldiers are there willingly- they aren't saddened by the death of a fellow soldier, and they seem like they really want to be there to fight and destroy the enemy.

3. Gas was not used extensively in the 20th-century wars after 1918. Why might this be?

-Well, it seems as though the person using the gas put themselves in danger as well, instead of only the enemy. They had to take extensive measures, such as wearing gas masks and changing them every five hours, so that they could stay safe from the gas. This seems as though it may have been a waste of supplies, when they could just use guns or bombs instead, without needing this expensive and extensive protection. Also, with gas, innocent people are effected, such as children. The death with gas is much more slow, and ina sesne more painful, because they can see eachother dying, and it is not immediate.

4. Construct a chart comparing the advantages and disadvantages of gas as a weapon. Is gas any more or less "humane" than other weapons? Explain your answer.

-Advantages: Ability to kill a large amount of people in a short amount of time.

-Disadvantages: The people who are distributing the gas have to wear special masks so that they aren't affected, these masks only last for 5 hours, and thus they could get a little bit pricey.

In a sense, gas is a bit less humane than other methods, because the people are suffering, as it takes a long time for it to actually work. However, it could be argued that bombing people is just as inhumane because people get body parts blown off. Most forms of killing are inhumane, depending upon the argument that you are approaching it from.