1925 Geneva Protocol facts for kids

The Geneva Protocol of 1925 is an important agreement that makes it against the rules to use chemical or biological weapons during a war. It's like a promise between countries not to use these dangerous weapons. This protocol was signed on June 17, 1925, and officially started on January 8, 1928. Countries like the United Kingdom and France were among the first to sign it. Once a country signs this protocol, they agree to follow its rules.

What is the Geneva Protocol?

The Geneva Protocol is a special treaty that bans the use of certain weapons in war. It specifically stops countries from using poisonous gases and germs (biological weapons) to harm people. This agreement was created to make wars less cruel and to protect soldiers and civilians from these terrible weapons.

Why was it created?

This important agreement was made after World War I. During that war, chemical weapons were used, and they caused a lot of suffering. About one million people died or were seriously injured because of these weapons. After seeing how much damage they caused, countries wanted to prevent such horrors from happening again. The Geneva Protocol was based on other peace treaties signed after the war, aiming to make sure chemical and biological weapons would never be used again.

How countries follow the rules

When countries sign the Geneva Protocol, they promise not to use chemical or biological weapons. However, some countries added a special condition. They said they would only follow the protocol if the country they were fighting also followed it. If the other country used these banned weapons, then they might feel they could use them too. Because of this, some countries, like France and the United Kingdom, added this condition. The United States also follows the protocol with this extra condition. This shows that while countries agree on the ban, they also think about how to protect themselves if others break the rules.

Images for kids

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  British troops blinded by poison gas during the Battle of Estaires, 1918

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  Rabbit used to check for leaks at a sarin production plant in 1970

See also

In Spanish: Protocolo de Ginebra para niños