Chemical Weapons in Germany

Germany has a complex history with chemical weapons, dating back to the early 20th century. During World War I, Germany was the first country to use chemical weapons on a large scale, employing chlorine and mustard gas against Allied troops. After the war, Germany signed the Geneva Protocol, which prohibited the use of chemical weapons, but the country continued to develop and stockpile chemical weapons in secret. During World War II, Germany used chemical weapons against Allied troops and civilians, including in the infamous gas chambers of the Holocaust. After the war, Germany was forced to destroy its chemical weapons stockpiles and was prohibited from producing or possessing them. Today, Germany is a strong supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.