Have nations in the 20th century been justified in developing and/or using weapons of mass destruction?

Question

Throughout the 20th century, many nations have developed powerful weapons of mass destruction. Some people have argued that these weapons need to be increasingly Potent and sophisticated in order to serve their purpose. Others have claimed that the development of these weapons has been misguided and wrong.

Answer 1

These weapons stopped WWIII. Russia could have taken Europe if it was not for the nuclear threat. These weapons saved millions of soldiers deaths in the battleground of Europe and elsewhere.

Answer 2

Let's take the 2nd part of your Q 1st. What is the correct definition of WMDs according the Us Army and common sense? WMDs include Nuclear, Biological & Chemical or NBC.

OK...were the nations that have used WMDs justiied in using them? In my opinions..
* the use of both atomic bombs by the USA on Japan was justified as it forced the Japanese to surrender ending WWII. And it saved an estimate 1 million lives, both Allied and Japanese, if the island nation would have had to be invaded since the Japanese leaders declared they would fight to last Japanese citizen.
* the use of chemical weapons (CW) by Saddam/Iraq against the Kurds in Iraq. In March 1988 an estimated 5000-7000 Kurds where killed by multiple types of CW gas...Mustard (blister agent), Sarin, tabbu and VX (nerve agents) and some reports of hydrogen cyanide (blood agent).The Kurds were unarmed and posed no military threat so my opinion is that the attack was not justiied.
* use of chemical weapons WWI by both sides in Europe. CW was used during 1914-1984 primarily in trench warfare. Both sides used Chlorine, Mustard, Phosgene and about 12 other agents. The fatalities totaled 85,000 (3% of all deaths in WW1) and 1,176,000 non fatal but terrible injuries. Was it justified? I don't believe the use of CW or biological weapons can ever be justified with one exception. If my country was without any doubt about to completely obliterated and my contry's
way of life destroyed forever...then I would consider and concone the use of every weapon in my county's inventory...Nuclear, Chemical and Biological. Why? Because the alternative is not acceptable.

To answer the 1st part of your question. Major countries on the world stage have always had active weapons development programs with the objective of keeping their country secure through the devlopment of weapons so
devastating their enemies would fear to attack. Discoveries and break throughs in science allowed the US, Russia, Britian, France and China to develop nuclear weapons and some terrifying chemical and biological weapons. Justified...necessary? Perhaps. Reality...yes.

Answer 3

The justification has always been "the enemy is/about to have them so we must too." Well as a deterrent it seems to have worked as there has not been a major world war since 1945.

Answer 4

No In any case