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Colonial Germ Warfare

7/2/2012

1 Comment

 
The humanizing of War! You might as well talk of the humanizing of Hell...As if war could be civilized! If I'm in command when war breaks out I shall issue my order—"The essence of war is violence. Moderation in war is imbecility. Hit first, hit hard, and hit everywhere!" 

—Sir Reginald Bacon, The Life of Lord Fisher 
of Kilverstone, Admiral of the Fleet
 
Picture
After the British removed the French from their colonial claim in North America, British policy in Ohio changed sharply. Sir Jeffrey Amherst commander of the British forces, declared that British should no longer give gifts to Indian chiefs. Many Ohio Indians were dependent on British trade and so starvation set in. Ohio Indians began following Neolin, a prophet who believed Europeans were a plague to be removed.

In 1763 Indians including Pontiac – an Ottowa chief – attacked British forts and killed 2000 settlers. This became known as Pontiac’s Rebellion. In response, Amherst suggested the British “send the Small Pox amongst these disaffected tribes of Indians”. ordered infected blankets to be sent into camps. Hundreds were killed as disease spread amongst the tribes. The Indians were forced to sue for peace.

So was the British use of primative germ-warfare effectively a war crime? Or would it be justified, as Machiavelli argued: "When it is absolutely a question of the safety of one's country, there must be no consideration of just or unjust, of merciful or cruel, of praiseworthy or disgraceful; instead, setting aside every scruple, one must follow to the utmost any plan that will save her life and keep her liberty."

What do you think? Full article here...

http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/spring04/warfare.cfm 

colonial_germ_warfare.pdf
File Size: 520 kb
File Type: pdf
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1 Comment
Uncle Bob
7/26/2017 07:07:57 am

Germ warfare by the British, The use of a biological weapon was deemed cheaper than the uses of arms and soldiers and the the natives, and the colonist;
a mixed use of words to conquer a nation.
It was a tactic that later concerned George Washington, as his colonist have not been exposed to the smallpox germ. Washington required his troops to be inoculated prior to engagement.
The British failed to honour their trade and treaty agreements with the American Indians. The use of germ warfare was decided British high anarchy as an easier solution to repress and defeat a people, a nation.

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