Lungs burning, eyes blurry—chemical weapons cause great destruction. Scholars view a short video analyzing the first use of chemical weapons in World War I. The eighth lesson of a 32-part series on the Great War investigates the legality of chemical weapons and the future of their use. To finish, the class openly discusses the morality of using such weapons. 

Concepts

world war i, weapons, gases

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Incorporate a discussion of the use of gas in Syria today with the issue of the legality of chemical warfare: Chemicals in Syria
• Create a series of questions and have students answer them while viewing the video
  

Classroom Considerations

• Requires proper audio and visual technology equipment
  

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Audio and visual learners benefit from the video clip
• Video length is under 12 minutes, allowing for placement in a WWI unit at teacher discretion 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3