Throughout the history of humankind, countries, organizations, and individuals tried to compete for global power and authority through any means possible. Although weapons of mass destruction (WMD) were recognized as such only in the middle of the twentieth century, they have been used for thousands of years (Patrick, 2011). In their pursuit of dominance, people sought to implement new ways of wreaking havoc. In ancient times, civilizations used such strategies as mass poisoning and spreading disease through infections and unsanitary conditions (Patrick, 2011). The use of biological weapons against a large number of enemy combatants could be considered the first instance of a weapon of mass destruction.
Similar tactics have been used on several occasions, causing a great loss of life. Europeans utilized infectious diseases against native populations in the nineteenth century, while the twentieth century began with the exploration of the potential of chemical weapons (Patrick, 2011). Such grim creativity further proliferated during World War II as countries put their ambitions above ethics and moral codes. Scientific inventions allowed humanity to gain access to nuclear energy, which became the predominant tool for threats, giving nations immense power over others (Patrick, 2011). In conclusion, the evolution of WMD places humankind at risk of major conflicts across the globe, as their continuous upgrades place the lives of millions in danger of being wiped out.
Reference
Patrick, S. (2011). Weak links: Fragile states, global threats, and international security. Oxford University Press.